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</div><div><span>Scleritis</span></div></div>
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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Scleritis</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>The sclera is the white outer wall of the eye. Scleritis is present when this area becomes swollen or inflamed.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>Scleritis is often linked to <a test="test" href="./000816.htm">autoimmune diseases</a>. These diseases occur when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. <a test="test" href="./000431.htm">Rheumatoid arthritis</a> and <a test="test" href="./000435.htm">systemic lupus erythematosus</a> are examples of autoimmune diseases that can be associated with scleritis. Sometimes the cause is unknown.</p><p>Scleritis occurs most often in people between the ages of 30 and 60. It is rare in children.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Symptoms of scleritis include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003029.htm">Blurred vision</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003032.htm">Eye pain</a> and tenderness -- severe</li><li>Red patches on the normally white part of the eye</li><li><a test="test" href="./003041.htm">Sensitivity to light</a> -- very painful</li><li><a test="test" href="./003036.htm">Tearing of the eye</a></li></ul><p>A rare form of this disease causes no eye pain or redness.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>Your health care provider will perform the following tests:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003434.htm">Eye exam</a></li><li>Physical exam and blood tests to look for conditions that may be causing the problem </li></ul><p>It is important for your provider to determine if your symptoms are due to scleritis. The same symptoms can also be a less severe form of inflammation, such as <a test="test" href="./001019.htm">episcleritis</a>.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>Treatments for scleritis may include:</p><ul><li>Corticosteroid eye drops to help reduce the inflammation</li><li>Corticosteroid pills</li><li>Newer, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in some cases</li><li>Certain anticancer drugs (immune-suppressants) to help reduce the inflammation in severe cases</li></ul><p>If scleritis is caused by an underlying disease, treatment of that disease may be needed.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>In most cases, the condition goes away with treatment. But it may come back. </p><p>The disorder causing scleritis may be serious. However, it may not be discovered the first time you have the problem. The outcome will depend on the specific disorder.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Complications may include:</p><ul><li>Return of scleritis</li><li>Side effects of long-term corticosteroid therapy</li><li>Perforation of the eyeball, leading to vision loss if the condition is left untreated</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your provider or ophthalmologist if you have symptoms of scleritis.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-8" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-8"><p>Most cases cannot be prevented.</p><p>People with autoimmune diseases, may need to have regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist familiar with the condition. </p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Inflammation - sclera</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Barry RJ, Denniston AK, Rhodes B, et al. Rheumatic disease. In: Sadda SVR, Sarraf D, Freund KB, et al, eds. <em>Ryan's Retina</em>. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 81.</p><p>Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. <em>Goldman-Cecil Medicine</em>. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 395.</p><p>Freund KB, Sarraf D, Mieler WF, Yannuzzzi LA. Inflammation. In: Freund KB, Sarraf D, Mieler WF, Yannuzzi LA, eds. <em>The Retinal Atlas</em>. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 4.</p><p>Patel SS, Goldstein DA. Episcleritis and scleritis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. <em>Ophthalmology</em>. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 4.11.</p><p>Salmon JF. Episclera and sclera. In: Salmon JF, ed. <em>Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology</em>. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 9.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 8/22/2022</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. </p>
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