2.  Scleritis affects people between the
ages of 30 and 60 years old, and is very
uncommon in children.
 Slightly occurs more frequently in
women.
 Affects a population of more than
200,000 people, but less than 1 million.

3.  Scleritis is an inflammation of the sclera, which is the white outer
wall of the eye.
 It is present within the entirety (depth) of the sclera.
 An eye and/or physical examination with blood tests are used to
diagnose this disease.
 There are four types:
› Diffuse anterior: The most common form. Presents with widespread
inflammation of the anterior sclera. Accounts for 50% of scleritis cases.
› Nodular: There are erythematous (red), tender, fixed nodules, which, in
25% of cases progresses to necrotising scleritis. Commonly reccurs.
› Necrotising: 10% of cases- characterized by extreme pain and marked
scleral damage. Associated with underlying systemic disease (See:Why?)
› Scleromalacia perforans: 5% of cases. Known as necrotising without
inflammation . Notable for lack of symptoms.

4.  Blurred vision
 Sensitivity to light (can be painful)
 Eye pain and tenderness
 Tearing of the eye
 Fever
 Vomiting
 Headaches
 Red patches on the white part of eyeball
› Normal cases are mild redness to this area
› Severe cases are extreme redness to this area

5.  Normally associated with auto-immune
diseases such as:
› Rheumatoid arthritis
› Systemic lupus erythematosus
› Sometimes the cause is unknown

6.  If not treated, significant loss of vision can
occur.
 Normally treated with oral anti-
inflammatory medications, corticosteroids,
and sometimes immunosuppressive drugs,
depending on the evidence of an
underlying systemic disease.
 Doesn’t normally respond to topical eye
drop medications.
 Being based upon certain incurable auto-
immune diseases, many cases cannot be
cured, but managed.

8.  Meisler, D. (1999, June 14). British journal of opthamology.
Retrieved from http://bjo.bmj.com/content/83/4/410.full
 Carpenter, J. (2002, March 8). John hopkins; depiction of
scleritis. Retrieved from
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/sebin/b/d/scleritis.jpg
 May, J. (2006, November 21). Legacy: Scleritis . Retrieved
from http://legacy.revoptom.com/handbook/sect2g.htm
 Mary, D. (2002, January 9). Scleritis; an overview of
symptoms and treatment. Retrieved from
http://byebyedoctor.com/scleritis/
 Barry, T. (2001, April 2). Scleritis; about.com. Retrieved from
http://vision.about.com/od/sportsvision/p/Scleritis.htm