​What is Medicine – What is Scleritis?

​What is Medicine – What is Scleritis? 
Scleritis is the inflammation of the sclera. Scleritis is more severe than episcleritis and the most serious form is necrotizing scleritis. 

In general, the onset of symptoms of scleritis is acute in nature .50% of scleritis affect both of the eyes ( bilateral).

The common symptoms and signs of scleritis are, tenderness on palpation of the eye, severe pain, abnormal pupil reaction to light, reduced visual acuity, eye watering, photophobia and pain with eye movement.

Patient with necrotizing scleritis may present with painless visual impairment which may cause perforation of the sclera. 

Scleritis is associated with systemic condition such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, granulomatosis with polyangiitis. 

Patient with scleritis need to be referred to the ophthalmologist. The medication needed include treatments for underlying disorders, topical or systemic steroids, topical or systemic NSAIDS and immunosuppressant such as methotrexate.