Episcleritis and Scleritis: a Couse of Red eye

Diagnosis of the Disease

Beside looking at the condition, objective test is usually done with clinical chemistry examination. Clinical chemistry examination usually find RF (rheumatoid factor) that is usually also found on rheumatoid arthritis. Other test is usually done by checking the complete blood count of the body.

Complication

If the condition is not treated well, it will create a condition called scleromalasia perforans in which the sclera will be perforated. If this condition happened, it will be very painful for the patient. In addition, keratitis sclerotic, uveitis, and cataract may also appear. These complications may create visual disturbance in the patients. The visual disturbance may have many complication for the life of the patients.

Treatment

The treatment for this condition is using topical steroid to reduce the inflammation of the sclera or episclera. If the patient is allergic to steroid, doctor may also prescribe non-steroidal anti inflammatory topical drug such as Na-Diklofenak that may have fewer side effects compared to the steroid one.

Reference

2. Vaughan J. Opthamology for Medical Student and Resident. 2nd ed. Vancouver: McGraw Hill;2008. p.72-75

3.Kumar D. Robbins Basic Pathology. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier;2008. p210-222