Scleritis is cured, especially if treatment is started early in the illness. To treat, medications such as antibiotics or immunosuppressants may be used, and in some cases surgery may also be necessary.
Scleritis is a serious disease that causes inflammation of the sclera, the thin layer of tissue that covers the white part of the eye. It can reach only one or both eyes, being more frequent in young and middle-aged women, and is often caused by complications of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, leprosy and tuberculosis.
The drugs to be used depend on the type and cause of the disease, but antibiotics and immunosuppressants are usually prescribed to fight microorganisms that are causing the infection.
In cases of complications such as cataracts and glaucoma that can not be controlled only with the use of medications, the doctor may also recommend surgery. In addition, other diseases that may have caused scleritis, such as lupus and tuberculosis, should be treated and controlled to promote healing of the eye and prevent recurrence of the problem.
However, it is important to remember that cases of necrotizing anterior scleritis with inflammation and posterior scleritis are the most serious, with a greater chance of loss of vision and, in some cases, death.
Symptoms
Symptoms of scleritis vary according to the location of the affected eye and the severity of the disease, but usually:
- Redness;
- Pain, especially when moving the eyes
- Swelling in the eye;
- Change from white to yellowish tones in the eye;
- Appearance of a painful lump, which may not move slightly;
- Decreased vision.
However, when scleritis affects the back of the eye, the symptoms of the disease may not be immediately identified, which impairs its treatment and the prevention of complications.
Diagnosis and Complications
The diagnosis is made by evaluating the symptoms and structure of the eye by an ophthalmologist, who may also recommend examinations such as topical instillation of anesthetic, biomicroscopy to the slit lamp and 10% phenylephrine test.
When not treated properly, scleritis can cause complications such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, swelling in the optic nerve, changes in the cornea, cataracts, progressive loss of vision and blindness.
Causes
Scleritis occurs mainly as a complication of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, Wegener's granulomatosis, relapsing polychondritis, lupus, reactive arthritis, polyarteritis nodosa, ankylosing spondylitis, leprosy, syphilis, Churg-Strauss syndrome and, in rare cases, tuberculosis and hypertension.
In addition, the disease may arise following eye surgeries, accidents or presence of foreign bodies in the eye or local infections caused by microorganisms.
Here's how to prevent scleritis by controlling diseases:
- Glaucoma has no cure but treatment prevents blindness
- Know the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in the Eyes
