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Scleritis
Inflammation - sclera
The sclera is the white outer wall of the eye. Scleritis is present when this area becomes swollen or inflamed.
Causes
Scleritis is often linked to autoimmune diseases . These diseases occur when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus can cause this problem. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Autoimmune diseases
An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 types of aut...
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease. It leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs....
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It can af...
Scleritis occurs most often in people between the ages of 30 and 60. It is rare in children.
Symptoms
Symptoms of scleritis include:
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Blurred vision
Blurred vision
There are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: HalosBlurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see ...
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Eye pain
and tenderness -- severe
Eye pain
Pain in the eye may be described as a burning, throbbing, aching, or stabbing sensation in or around the eye. It may also feel like you have a forei...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Red patches on the normally white part of the eye
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Sensitivity to light
-- very painful
Sensitivity to light
Photophobia is eye discomfort in bright light.
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Tearing of the eye
Tearing of the eye
Watery eyes means you have too many tears draining from the eyes. Tears help keep the surface of the eye moist. They wash away particles and foreig...
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A rare form of this disease causes no eye pain or redness.
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will perform the following tests:
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Eye exam
Eye exam
A standard ophthalmic exam is a series of tests done to check your vision and the health of your eyes.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Physical exam and blood tests to look for conditions that may be causing the problem
It is important for your provider to determine if you have scleritis. The symptoms can also be a less severe form of inflammation, such as episcleritis .
Episcleritis
Episcleritis is irritation and inflammation of the episclera, a thin layer of tissue covering the white part (sclera) of the eye. It is not an infec...
Treatment
Treatments for scleritis may include:
- Corticosteroid eye drops to help reduce the inflammation
- Corticosteroid pills
- Newer, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in some cases
- Certain anticancer drugs (immune-suppressants) for severe cases
If scleritis is caused by an underlying disease, treatment of that disease may be needed.
Outlook (Prognosis)
In most cases, the condition goes away with treatment. But it may come back.
The disorder causing scleritis may be serious. However, it may not be discovered the first time you have the problem. The outcome will depend on the specific disorder.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Return of scleritis
- Side effects of long-term corticosteroid therapy
- Perforation of the eyeball, leading to vision loss if the condition is left untreated
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider or ophthalmologist if you have symptoms of scleritis.
Prevention
Most cases cannot be prevented.
People with autoimmune diseases, may need to have regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist familiar with the condition.
References
Boyd K. Scleritis. American Academy of Ophthalmology Web site. www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-scleritis . Accessed September 1, 2016.
Watson P. Diseases of the sclera and episclera. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology, 2013 Edition . Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 4, chap 23.
Yanoff M, Cameron JD. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 423.
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Eye - illustration
The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer or tunic (sclera, or white, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle tunic layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (the retina) is nervous or sensory. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.
Eye
illustration
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Eye - illustration
The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer or tunic (sclera, or white, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle tunic layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (the retina) is nervous or sensory. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.
Eye
illustration
Review Date: 8/20/2016
Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
