S Afr Optom 2012 71(1) 51-54 Anterior diffuse scleritis diagnosed as conjunc- tivitis KP Mashige Discipline of Optometry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000 South Africa Received 26 July 2011; revised version accepted 10 January 2012 <[email protected]> Abstract such as corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflam- matory drugs and possibly immune-suppressants This article presents a case of anterior diffuse are used in the management of ADS. If care is not scleritis that initially was diagnosed as conjunctivi- taken, ADS can be mis-diagnosed as conjunctivi- tis. Anterior diffuse scleritis (ADS) is a potentially tis because the redness is similar in both condi- vision-threatening inflammation of the sclera whose tions. Such mis-diagnosis can be sight-threatening etiology may include autoimmune and systemic and therefore it is essential that primary eye care conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and tuber- practitioners are cautious in all diagnoses of red culosis. The signs and symptoms of ADS include eye conditions. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(1) 51-54) pain, tearing, tenderness, redness, painful sensitiv- ity to light and decreased visual acuity. Ocular and Key Words: Anterior diffuse scleritis, conjuncti- physical examinations including blood tests to rule vitis, poor vision, ocular pain, photophobia, tear- out underlying causes are important. Medications ing Introduction ported to be associated with scleritis and sometimes the cause is unknown 6. Scleritis is a potentially blinding inflammatory dis- Scleritis is accompanied by severe pain of gradual ease that affects the sclera1. The condition can result onset that often radiates to the peri-orbital region 7-9. from several autoimmune and systemic diseases1, 2. Other symptoms include photophobia, tearing, and de- Recently described subsets of T-helper lymphocytes, creased vision (if other ocular tissues are involved)7-9. known as Th-17, have emerged as key factors in the The most important ocular signs of scleritis are globe pathogenesis of scleritis1, 2. Scleritis is usually associ- tenderness on palpation, sectorial or diffuse scleral er- ated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid ythema, thinning with bluish hue, oedema and possi- arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, polyarteritis ble nodules or necrosis7-9. Scleritis is usually confined nodosa, Wegener’s granulomatosis, ankylosing spon- to one eye, but may affect both eyes and there may be dylitis, giant cell arteritis and gout3, 4. Recently, scle- possible corneal or intraocular inflammation7-9. If left ritis has also been associated with erythema elevatum untreated, scleritis may cause perforation of the eye- diutinum, a chronic and rare dermatosis that is con- ball, leading to vision loss7-9. This article describes the sidered to be a variant of leukocytoclastic vasculitis 5. case of a patient with ADS that was previously treated Other systemic conditions such as tuberculosis, her- as bacterial conjunctivitis by ophthalmic nurses. pes zoster ophthalmicus and syphilis have been re- BSc(Wits) BOptom(UDW) CAS(NECO) MOptom(UKZN) 51 The South African Optometrist ISSN 0378-9411 S Afr Optom 2012 71(1) 51-54 KP Mashige - Anterior diffuse scleritis diagnosed as conjunctivitis Epidemiology stay initial therapy of noninfectious scleritis includes a corticosteroid such as prednisone and the use of non- Although scleritis is not common, its exact inci- steroidal anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief1. dence is unknown7-9. Scleritis can also be attained Diffuse scleritis is the form that is most responsive through disorders of menstruation7-9. It is for this rea- to therapy1, 7-9. In more aggressive cases of scleritis, son that scleritis occurs more frequently in women chemotherapy (such as immunosuppressive therapy aged 30 to 60 years and is rare in children7-9. Scleritis with such drugs as cyclophosphamide or azathioprine) is more common in the fourth decades of life, with a may be used to treat the disease1, 7-9. The most severe peak incidence in the fifth decade7-9. form, necrotizing scleritis has poor visual outcomes and requires surgery to repair damaged corneal or Classification scleral tissue to preserve the patient’s eye1, 7-9. Blood tests play an important role in ensuring that there Scleritis may be classified into anterior and pos- is no underlying cause of scleritis1, 7-9. If there is terior7-9. There are several different sub-types of an- involvement of the back of the eye, neuro-imaging terior scleritis: diffuse, nodular, necrotizing scleritis tests such as computed tomography (CT) scan, mag- with inflammation and necrotizing without inflam- netic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasonography mation (scleromalacia perforans)7-9. Diffuse scleritis of the eye may be ordered1, 7-9. is the most common causing generalized inflamma- tion, nodular causes the affected area of the sclera to Case report be confined to small nodules and necrotizing scleritis is the most severe7-9. Posterior scleritis is rare and is SM, a 46 year old Black female cleaner, presented characterized by flattening of the posterior aspect of to the Optometry clinic of the University of KwaZu- the globe, thickening of the choroid and sclera, and lu-Natal on the 25th of May 2011 at 14:00 pm. She retrobulbar oedema7-9. Posterior scleritis usually pre- complained of a left red eye over the preceding eight sents with poor or double vision, severe pain and weeks, photophobia, tearing and constant severe ocu- proptosis7-9. lar pain. She also reported that the pain was so severe that it prevents her from sleeping at night. She did not report any history of trauma. SM reported that she visited her local community clinic, where an ophthal- mic nurse told her she had conjunctivitis and placed her on chloromycetin eye ointment. She, however, said that despite the ointment given, the redness and pain were getting worse. Previous ocular, medical and family histories were unremarkable. Besides the chloromycetin ointment, she reported not using any other medication or having any allergies to the same. Blood pressure for the right arm while seated meas- ured 112/76 mmHg. Figure 1 Anterior diffuse scleritis (source: http//www.redatlas. org). Clinical findings Management Presenting unaided visual acuity (VA) measured with the Snellen chart was 6/6 in the right eye and 6/9 Differentiating infectious scleritis from nonin- in the left eye. Pupils were round and reactive to light fectious scleritis is important because corticosteroid and accommodation with no afferent pupillary defect therapy (often used in noninfectious autoimmune in either eye. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measured scleritis) and immune-suppressive scleritis are gener- with the Nidek Tono-Pachymeter NT530P was 13 ally contraindicated in active infections1. The main- mmHg in the right eye and 12 mmHg in the left eye 52 157 The South African Optometrist ISSN 0378-9411 S Afr Optom 2012 71(1) 51-54 KP Mashige - Anterior diffuse scleritis diagnosed as conjunctivitis at 15:45 pm. Direct ophthalmoscopy revealed nothing blepharitis, recurrent styes or meibomianitis12. This significant with both lens and vitreous clear. Fundus condition is generally treated with the application of assessment revealed well-perfused optic nerve heads topical antibiotics and good eyelid hygiene13, 14. It of- with cup to disc ratios of 0.5H/0.5V in the right eye ten presents in one eye after direct contact with the and 0.4H/0.4V in the left eye. No abnormalities were microbe, the second eye becoming involved soon noted in the peripheral fundi and macular regions of after13, 14. During examination, no papillae or fol- both eyes. licles were observed in SM, reflecting absence of Anterior segment evaluation of the left eye with a conjunctivitis. Although there may be an irritation slit lamp biomicroscope revealed diffuse redness of and photophobia with conjunctivitis, patients do not the sclera and bulbar conjunctiva. However, the pal- usually complain of severe pain13, 14. SM had severe pebral conjunctiva was normal. Areas of sub-epithe- peri-orbital pain, scleral oedema and tenderness and lial haze were noted in the cornea of the left eye but reduced VA in the left eye, which are not typical the iris was still visible. Cover tests did not reveal any features of conjunctivitis but suggest more serious tropia or phoria and extraocular muscles were not re- underlying ocular disease processes such as acute stricted in all positions of gaze. Confrontation visual angle-closure glaucoma or uveitis. However, the field was full in both eyes. Refraction was not done IOPs and optic nerves were normal and the anterior on the first visit as she was experiencing severe pain. chamber was quiet. This ruled out the possibility of Palpation of the eye revealed some slight tenderness acute angle-closure glaucoma and uveitis. Tearing or and the sclera looked oedematous. Digital manipula- photophobia without mucopurulent discharge also tion of the overlying tissue revealed minimal mobility occurs in patients with ADS15. SM’s visual acuity of of the vessels thereby indicating that the significant the left eye was affected due to the corneal involve- hyperemia was scleral in origin. Also, instillation of ment. eye gene drops (naphazoline) in the left eye did not The distinction between episcleritis and ADS can produce blanching. SM was referred to an ophthal- also be difficult to make due to the similarity in the pat- mologist in Addington hospital for confirmation of tern of hyperemia between the conditions16. Further- diagnosis of ADS and to initiate medical treatment. more, episcleritis often co-exists with ADS16. How- SM reported back to the Optometry clinic on the ever, episcleritis is generally a self limiting condition, 7th of July 2011 for a follow-up with a report from the not associated with the severe peri-orbital pain and ophthalmologist. The report confirmed the diagnosis with limited complications16. Topical phenylephrine of ADS (without any associated disease) and showed 2.5% or 10% will constrict the vessels of the conjunc- that SM was given prednisone and amitriptyline.