What is Episcleritis?
Episcleritis is an irritation and inflammation of the episclera, the thin layer of tissue covering the white part (sclera) of the eye that occurs in the absence of infection. It is a common condition, and in most cases the problem is mild and vision is normal.
What causes Episcleritis?
Most of the time, the cause of episcleritis is never determined. However, it may occur with diseases such as:
- herpes zoster
- rheumatoid arthritis
- sjogren syndrome
- syphilis
- tuberculosis
- rosacea
- lupus
Symptoms of Episcleritis
Symptoms of episcleritis include:
- pink or purple color to the white of the eye
- eye pain (a hot, prickly or gritty feeling)
- light sensitivity
- tearing of the eye
Diagnosing and Treating Episcleritis
Diagnosis is made by an Eye M.D., who will administer a thorough eye exam. They’ll start by examining the color of your eyes. If the discoloration is more of a bluish-purple (as opposed to red), you might be diagnosed with scleritis instead.
Most often, episcleritis goes away on its own within one to two weeks. If the condition returns and its appearance is bothersome, you may wish to speak with your eye doctor about treatment options, including:
- corticosteriod eye drops
- artificial tear eye drops
- anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e., ibuprofen)
If you’re concerned about a problem with your eye and you’re living in central New Jersey, contact Atlantic Medical Eye Care today. We’ll do everything we can to protect and preserve your vision.
Episcleritis Image source: Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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