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Episcleritis

Episcleritis is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the episclera, a membrane covering the sclera of the eye. The eye's red appearance makes it look similar to conjunctivitis , or pink eye, but there is no discharge or tearing. In most cases, a discrete segment of the usual "white of the eye" becomes intensely red. Less commonly, the episcleritis is diffuse in character and much of the "front" of the eye becomes red. One warning: doctors, including ophthalmologists, can misname a patient's Eye inflammation, calling it Episcleritis when it is Scleritis. It matters tremendously, since true Scleritis, as opposed to Episcleritis, is associated with an underlying disorder about 70% of the time, and Scleritis can produce serious damage to the Eye; Episcleritis never does Rosacea, herpes simplex, gout, tuberculosis, and other diseases are also occasionally underlying causes. Patients with nodular episcleritis have prolonged attacks of inflammation that are typically more painful than simple episcleritis. Treatment is somewhat controversial but most ophthalmologists will prescribe an oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, perhaps as the only treatment. Many patients with nodular episcleritis have an associated systemic disease.

Localised, self limiting inflammation of the episclera (connective tissue overlying the sclera). Episcleritis is an inflammatory condition of the connective tissue between the conjunctiva and sclera known as the episclera.It usually has no apparent cause; however, it is sometimes associated with systemic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.Some patients note that episodes are more common in the spring or fall. Less commonly, the episcleritis is diffuse in character and much of the "front" of the eye becomes red. A small percentage of patients will have rheumatoid arthritis or other collagen vascular diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis nodosa, or Wegener's granulomatosis).The episodes usually last 7-10 days, and most resolve after 2-3 weeks. Prolonged episodes may be more common in patients with associated systemic conditions.By combining thousands of connections between signs, symptoms, risk factors, conditions and treatments, The AnalystT will help to build an accurate picture of your current health status, the risks you are running and courses of action (including appropriate lab testing) that should be considered.

Causes of Episcleritis

The common causes of Episcleritis :

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Polyarteritis nodosa
• Bacteria, including tuberculosis, Lyme disease, and syphilis
• Viruses, including herpes
• Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma
• Progressive hemifacial atrophy
• Episcleritis is usually mild and rarely progresses to scleritis .
• The cause is usually unknown, but certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis , Sjogren's syndrome , syphilis , herpes zoster , and tuberculosis have been associated with episcleritis
• Oculovestibuloauditory syndrome
• Behcet's disease
• blepharitis dandruff like substance on the eyelids that disrupts tears
• conjunctivitis (often accompanied by itching or redness)

Symptoms of Episcleritis

Some common Symptoms of Episcleritis :

• A pink or purple coloration to the normally white part of the eye .
• Eye pain .
• Sensitivity to light .
• Eye tenderness .
• Tearing of the eye.
• Redness.
• Mild irritation.
• A symptom is a phenomenon that is experienced by an individual. Anxiety, lower back pain, and fatigue are all symptoms.

Treatment of Episcleritis

• Use of supportive
• Regular lubricating drops
• Treatment of any associated disorders
• Opthalmic referral if does not resolve
• The inflammation usually disappears without treatment in 1 to 2 weeks.
• Treatment with corticosteroid eye drops may shorten the duration of the symptoms.
• If there is no response to flurbiprofen, indomethacin 100 mg daily and decreased to 75 mg when there is a response should be used.
• Many patients who do not respond to one nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) may respond to another NSAID.

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