You may have episcleritis if you have a red spot on the white part of your eye. This eye condition tends to occur more often in young adults and women. Episcleritis is an inflammation that appears as localized redness in your eye. It is not very painful and does not necessarily require medical treatment. What is episcleritis? What are the symptoms and possible treatments? Here are the answers to your questions.
What is episcleritis?
Episcleritis is a type of inflammation of the white tissue covering the eye. This membrane supports and protects the eye. However, episcleritis is benign and does not threaten your eye's vision. It often takes the form of a red, and sometimes yellow, spot on the white of the eye.
Episcleritis can have two distinct appearances:
- The first is a redness on the white of your eye. This redness can be partial or total.
- The second is nodular episcleritis. The nodule is a small round edema protruding from your eye
The inflammation can be diffuse or localized. And the discomfort caused can be more prevalent if you have nodular episcleritis.
Most often, episcleritis occurs without any known reason. In rare cases, it may be symptomatic of another disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. But when this happens, other disease-related symptoms also appear.
What are the symptoms of episcleritis?
Depending on the individual, the symptoms of episcleritis differ:
- Redness in your eye
- Moderate pain in the affected eye
- Sensation of discomfort
- Watery eyes
- Mild photophobia
If the symptoms are causing too much discomfort or you are unsure about the nature of the redness in your eye, it is best to make an appointment. Our optometrists can thoroughly examine your eye to determine if treatment is needed. They can also suggest solutions to reduce your discomfort.
What causes episcleritis in the eye?
Most of the time, the cause of episcleritis is unknown. However, it has been observed that episcleritis occurs more frequently in young adults and women.
Causes that sometimes account for the development of episcleritis in the eye include:
- Acne rosacea
- Allergies
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, an uncommon autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels
Sometimes episcleritis can recur. In this case, it would be best to have your eyes examined to see if there are any underlying reasons for this.
What is the treatment for episcleritis?
Treatment for episcleritis is not always necessary. Since this condition is most often benign, the eye heals spontaneously. However, it is good to know that fatigue can exacerbate episcleritis.
Fatigue generally prevents the body from regenerating properly because while you sleep, it restores itself. So, if you are looking for a natural treatment to cure episcleritis faster, know that good hydration and rest offer good results.
You may be prescribed corticosteroid eye drops if you have pain or persistent episcleritis. This anti-inflammatory treatment helps symptoms disappear more quickly. And since the prescription is medical, obtaining a prior diagnosis from an eye care professional is necessary.
