Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Inflammation - sclera
Treatment
Corticosteroid eye drops help reduce the inflammation. Sometimes corticosteroids pills are taken by mouth. Newer, nonsteroid 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.
Support Groups
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
The underlying disorder associated with scleritis may be serious, and may be undiagnosed at the time of the first episode. 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.
Images
Previous Section
Review Date: 07/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision
Institute, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
