Learn About Scleritis
The sclera is the white outer wall of the eye. Scleritis is present when this area becomes swollen or inflamed.
Inflammation - sclera
Scleritis is often linked to autoimmune diseases. These diseases occur when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are examples of autoimmune diseases that can be associated with scleritis. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Scleritis occurs most often in people between the ages of 30 and 60. It is rare in children.
Symptoms of scleritis include:
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain and tenderness -- severe
- Red patches on the normally white part of the eye
- Sensitivity to light -- can be painful
- Tearing of the eye
A rare form of this disease causes no eye pain or redness.
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) to help reduce the inflammation in severe cases
If scleritis is caused by an underlying disease, treatment of that disease may be needed.
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 Scleritis. 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 Scleritis. Her top areas of expertise are Uveitis, Scleritis, Birdshot Chorioretinopathy, Vitrectomy, and Cataract Removal.
Scheie Eye Institute Perelman
Nirali Bhatt is an Ophthalmologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Bhatt has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scleritis. Her top areas of expertise are Scleritis, Uveitis, Neuroretinitis, Cataract Removal, and Trabeculectomy. Dr. Bhatt is currently accepting new patients.
In most cases, scleritis goes away with treatment. But it may come back.
If there is a disorder causing scleritis, it may be serious. However, it may not be discovered the first time you have the problem. The outcome will depend on the specific underlying disorder.
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
Contact your provider or ophthalmologist if you have symptoms of scleritis.
Most cases cannot be prevented.
People with autoimmune diseases, may need to have regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist familiar with the condition.
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.
Barry RJ, Denniston AK, Rhodes B, et al. Rheumatic disease. In: Sadda SVR, Sarraf D, Freund KB, et al, eds. Ryan's Retina. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 81.
Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 391.
Patel SS, Zaguia F, Goldstein DA. Episcleritis and scleritis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 4.11.