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Scleritis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Inflammation - sclera

Treatment:

Corticosteroid eye drops help reduce the inflammation. Sometimes corticosteroids pills are taken by mouth. Newer, non-steroid anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs may be used in some cases.

If scleritis is caused by an underlying disease, treatment of that disease may be necessary.

Expectations (prognosis):

The condition may recur but usually responds to treatment. Scleritis must be distinguished from other forms of inflammation that are less severe, such as episcleritis .

The underlying disorder associated with scleritis may be serious, and the outcome depends upon the specific disorder.

Complications:

• Scleritis returns
• Side effects of long-term corticosteroid therapy
• Untreated, perforation of the eyeball may occur, leading to vision loss

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider or ophthalmologist if you have symptoms of scleritis.

• Review Date: 10/20/2006
• Reviewed By: Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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