Scleritis of the eye is inflammation of the sclera, the fibrous membrane surrounding the eyeball. Scleritis is easily observed when it reaches the front layer of the sclera. It appears as a reddening of the white areas of your eye. However, it should not be confused with conjunctivitis or other ocular inflammations. What is scleritis? What are the causes and symptoms? Learn more about this eye inflammation.
Scleritis | Definition
Scleritis is inflammation of the deep layers of the sclera. The sclera is in contact with the cornea at the front. It is also called the "white of the eye." During scleritis, the deep layers of the sclera are affected.
There are two types of scleritis: anterior scleritis and posterior scleritis.
Anterior scleritis
This is the inflammation of the front part of the sclera. As a result, you can notice visible redness in the white part of your eye.
Posterior scleritis
The inflammation is located in the posterior part of the sclera, i.e. at the back of the eye. The white of the eye is not red, but you will feel pain in the eye.
Keep in mind that posterior scleritis is less common than anterior scleritis. However, posterior scleritis can cause vision problems. Although the visual after-effects can be severe, they remain rare.
If you experience pain in one or both eyes, we recommend you make an eye exam appointment. The symptoms should not be taken lightly.
What causes scleritis?
In many cases, the causes of scleritis are related to an autoimmune disease:
- Ocular infection
- Sjögren's syndrome
- Trauma or injury to the eye as a result of an accident or surgery
- Arthritis and polyarthritis
- Inflammation or swelling of the joints of autoimmune origin
- Scleroderma
- Connective tissue diseases, such as lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease
- Tuberculosis or sarcoidosis and granulomatosis in general
What are the symptoms of scleritis?
Pain is one of the main symptoms of scleritis. And it can vary from a moderate stage to a much more intense level. The pain can sometimes be severe enough to disrupt sleep and cause insomnia.
In people with anterior scleritis, there is also redness in the eye.
Other symptoms may be present, such as tearing, visual blurring or strong sensitivity to light (photophobia). In some people, the inflammation may create edema, a swelling of the white part of the eye.
What are the treatments for scleritis?
Treatment is prescribed only after a diagnosis is made through a slit lamp examination used by optometrists. Treatment may include topical or systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. All these medications are provided on a prescription basis.
The healing time of scleritis varies from one individual to another and can take one to several months.
If you are experiencing scleritis symptoms, seeing an optometrist as soon as possible is important. As previously discussed, posterior scleritis can lead to visual complications without proper treatment.
During your appointment, the optometrist will examine the surface and back of your eye with a slit lamp. Then, they may ask you about possible symptoms of extraocular autoimmune, inflammatory or infectious diseases.
