Learn About 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 infection.
Episcleritis is a common condition. In most cases the problem is mild and vision is normal.
The cause is often unknown. But, it may occur with certain diseases, such as:
- Herpes zoster virus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sjögren syndrome
- Syphilis
- Tuberculosis
Symptoms include:
- A pink or purple color to the normally white part of the eye
- Eye pain
- Eye tenderness
- Sensitivity to light
- Tearing of the eye
The condition most often goes away on its own in 1 to 2 weeks. Using corticosteroid eye drops may help ease the symptoms faster.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Meghan Berkenstock, M.D., is an associate professor of ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute. She specializes in ocular inflammatory and infectious diseases, cataract surgery, and comprehensive ophthalmology. Since joining the faculty of the Wilmer Eye Institute in 2016, she has established a research focus on risk reduction and quality assurance initiatives in the care of patients with uveitis. She has implemented several initiatives to improve laboratory monitoring and understanding barriers to care in patients on immunosuppressive medications. The bulk of her research focuses on identifying ocular adverse events (IRAE) associated with the use of immunotherapy agents in the treatment of systemic malignancies. She is a member and the only ophthalmologist on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Panel on developing guidelines to treat IRAEs. Dr. Berkenstock is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Episcleritis. Her top areas of expertise are Scleritis, Episcleritis, Uveitis, Vitrectomy, and Cataract Removal.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Careen Lowder is an Ophthalmologist in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Lowder has been practicing medicine for over 56 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Episcleritis. Her top areas of expertise are Uveitis, Scleritis, Birdshot Chorioretinopathy, Vitrectomy, and Cataract Removal.
Fairview Express Care
Karen Armbrust is an Ophthalmologist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Armbrust is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Episcleritis. Her top areas of expertise are Episcleritis, Scleritis, Uveitis, Endophthalmitis, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Armbrust is currently accepting new patients.
Episcleritis most often improves without treatment. However, treatment may make symptoms go away sooner.
In some cases, the condition may return. Rarely, irritation and inflammation of the white part of the eye may develop. This is called scleritis.
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of episcleritis that last for more than 2 weeks. Get checked again if your pain gets worse or you have problems with your vision.
Summary: Autoinflammatory diseases (AID) are clinical entities characterized by recurrent inflammatory attacks in absence of infection, neoplasm or deregulation of the adaptive immune system. Among them, hereditary periodic syndromes, also known as monogenic AID, represent the prototype of this disease group, caused by mutations in genes involved in the regulation of innate immunity, inflammation and cell ...
Published Date: July 09, 2024
Published By: Audrey Tai, DO, MS, Athena Eye Care, Mission Viejo, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Promelle V, Goeb V, Gueudry J. Rheumatoid arthritis associated episcleritis and scleritis: an update on treatment perspectives. J Clin Med. 2021;10(10):2118. PMID: 34068884 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34068884/.