Brief Description, Types, Sign and Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Of Episcleritis

Diffused Episclertis

Episcleritis is simply the Inflammation of the episclera-a thin, dense vascularised layer of connective tissue which covers the white part of the eye (sclera). Typically, episcleritis is benign, self-limiting (runs a limited course of 10 days to weeks and resolves spontaneously) and usually resolves on its own. Sometimes it may be accompanied by other diseases, such as lupus, gout, rosacea, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
It has also been considered as a hypersensitivity reaction to endogenous or streptococcal toxins.

Occasionally episcleritis may be confused with inflamed pinguecula (pingueculitis), swelling and congestion due to foreign body lodged in bulbar conjunctiva and very rarely with scleritis. It is usually characterized by localized or diffused superficial redness and the patient may experience the following: 

•  Acute onset of mild eye pain.

• Foreign body or gritty sensation.

• Occasional mild watery eyes. 

• Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia).

• Eye tenderness.

Nodular Episceritis

There are actually two types of episcleritis, one in which the episceral redness is diffuse (diffuse episcleritis), and the other in which the episcleral redness is localized (nodular episcleritis). Most people with this eye condition may experience it recurrently and sometimes it comes with no identifiable cause although small fraction of cases is associated with various systemic diseases. Episcleritis is not accompanied by any from purulent discharge and the patient vision is unaffected. Rarely, episcleritis may be caused by scleritis.

Because episcleritis has a self-limiting characteristics and produces little or no permanent damage to the eye, many, if not most, patients with this eye condition will not require any treatment. However, for patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms, cold compresses over the closed eyelids and instillation of lubricating eye drops maybe used as a treatment option to decrease the eye discomfort.  In more severe cases treatment may involve the use of topical corticosteroids or oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).