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Scleritis
Updated: May 09, 2017
Author: Manolette R Roque, MD, MBA, FPAO; Chief Editor: Andrew A Dahl, MD, FACS more...

OVERVIEW

Practice Essentials
Scleral inflammation (scleritis) may occur in one or both eyes. Pain is a hallmark symptom.

Signs of scleritis include focal or diffuse redness or violaceous discoloration, initial scleral
thickening, late scleral thinning, nodules, and necrosis. It may be associated with keratitis, iritis,
glaucoma, and exudative retinal detachment.

Scleritis commonly has an underlying cause, usually an autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis,
granulomatosis with polyangiitis, other vasculitic/connective tissue diseases).

Treatment include corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),

immunosuppressives, and biologics.

Background
Scleritis is a chronic, painful, and potentially blinding inflammatory disease that is characterized by
edema and cellular infiltration of the scleral and episcleral tissues (outermost coat of the eye).
Scleritis may be isolated to the eye, but is commonly associated with systemic autoimmune
disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, relapsing polychondritis,
spondyloarthropathies, Wegener granulomatosis, polyarteritis nodosa, and giant cell arteritis.

Scleritis may be the initial or only presenting clinical manifestation of these potentially lethal
disorders. The correct and rapid diagnosis and the appropriate systemic therapy can halt the
relentless progression of both ocular and systemic processes, thus preventing destruction of the
globe while prolonging survival and improving quality of life.

Scleritis may be classified into anterior and posterior. Anterior scleritis can be diffuse, nodular,
necrotizing with inflammation (necrotizing), and necrotizing without inflammation (scleromalacia
perforans). The most common clinical forms are diffuse scleritis and nodular scleritis. Necrotizing
scleritis with or without inflammation is much less frequent, more ominous, and frequently
associated with systemic autoimmune disorders, as well as peripheral ulcerative keratitis. Posterior
scleritis is characterized by flattening of the posterior aspect of the globe, thickening of the posterior
coats of the eye (choroid and sclera), and retrobulbar edema. [1]

Pathophysiology

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Scleritis: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1228324-overview#showall

An autoimmune dysregulation in a genetically predisposed host is presumed to cause scleritis.

Inciting factors may include infectious organisms, endogenous substances, or trauma. The
inflammatory process may be caused by immune complex–related vascular damage (type III
hypersensitivity) and subsequent chronic granulomatous response (type IV hypersensitivity).

The following interact as part of the activated immune network, which can lead to scleral
destruction: immune complex vessel deposition in episcleral- and scleral-perforating capillary and
postcapillary venules (inflammatory microangiopathy) and cell-mediated immune responses. The
autoimmune nature of scleritis also is supported by the frequent association with systemic
autoimmune disorders and by the favorable response to immunosuppressive therapy. [2]

Epidemiology
Frequency

United States

The exact incidence of scleritis is uncertain, although scleritis is not common. The reported
prevalence of scleritis is skewed by the somewhat selected referrals of the reporting institutions.

Approximately 2.6% of patients who were referred to the Immunology Service at the Massachusetts
Eye and Ear Infirmary Hospital of Boston during an 11-year period had scleritis.

About 8.7% of patients who were referred to the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery
Institute (MERSI) of Cambridge, MA, during a 5-year period had scleritis.

International

Approximately 0.08% of patients who were referred to the Department of Ophthalmology of

Southern General Hospital and Victoria Infirmary of Glasgow during an 8-year period had scleritis.

Mortality/Morbidity

Patients with scleritis are at risk for ocular complications and systemic disease association.

Ocular complications of scleritis, which cause vision loss and eye destruction, appear as a result of
the extending scleral inflammation. Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (13-14%), uveitis (about 42%),
glaucoma (12-13%), cataract (6-17%), and fundus abnormalities (about 6.4%). These
complications are most common in necrotizing scleritis, the most destructive type of scleritis.

Disease association may be found in about 57% of patients with scleritis. Up to 48% of patients
with scleritis present with a known connective-tissue or vasculitic disease. Some of these diseases
are potentially lethal unless treated with prompt and aggressive therapy. Other patients may
present with concomitant trauma, infection, or postsurgical inflammation. Systemic disease
association is most common in cases of necrotizing scleritis. Scleritis may be the first manifestation
of a potentially lethal systemic disease.

Sex

Women are more likely to have scleritis than men (1.6:1).

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Scleritis: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1228324-overview#showall

Age

Scleritis is most common in the fourth to sixth decades of life. The peak incidence of scleritis is in
the fifth decade.

Prognosis
Prognosis varies depending on the disease classification. It may range from a self-limited episode
of inflammation to a severe necrotizing process with vision-threatening complication.

Patient Education
It is important for patients with signs and symptoms of scleritis to undergo an accurate eye
evaluation to ensure proper treatment, to determine prognosis, and to exclude differential
diagnoses with less vision-threatening potential.

Clinical Presentation

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