Episcleritis

Background

• Abrupt onset of inflammation in the episclera
• 70% of cases occurs in women (usually young/middle-aged)
• Usually a benign, self-limited condition
• Can be classified into simple (more common) or nodular types
• Most commonly idiopathic but may occur as an ocular manifestation of underlying autoimmune conditions eg RA, IBD

Clinical Features

• History
  • Abrupt onset of redness, irritation, and watering of the eye
  • Pain is unusual
  • Vision unaffected
  • 50% of cases are bilateral
• Physical exam
  • Vasodilatation of the superficial episcleral vessels
  • Focal area(s) of redness
  • May have a tender scleral nodule (nodular episcleritis)

Differential Diagnosis

• Eye Algorithm (Main)
• Scleritis
• Conjunctivitis
• Herpes keratitis

Diagnosis

• Must distinguish from scleritis
  • Scleritis likely to have pain and decreased vision
  • Use of 2.5% phenylephrine drops will cause vasoconstriction/blanching of episcleral but not scleral vessels. Thus, there will be decreased injection and redness in episcleritis but not scleritis.
• Must distinguish from conjunctivitis
  • Episcleritis will usually have a sectoral pattern of injection, as opposed to a diffuse injection seen in conjunctivitis.

Management

• Topical lubricants
  • Artificial tears q4-6hr
• Oral NSAIDs

Disposition

• Refer to ophtho is unsure of diagnosis or if steroids are necessary for Tx
• Self-limiting (will resolve within 2-3 weeks)

See Also

• Scleritis

References

UpToDate