J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2002 Aug;43(8):1381-1387.

Clinical Features of the Episcleritis and the Scleritis

• Choi DY
• Ko MK
• Yoo DH

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features of the patients with episcleritis and scleritis.
METHODS
Retrospective chart review was performed for above patients that had been followed from 1986. 8. 8 to 2001. 6. 4.
RESULTS
The number of patients with episcleritis was 17 (49%) and that of scleritis was 18 (51%). Ocular complication occurred in 59% of patients with episcleritis and 72% of patients with scleritis. Keratitis was the most common ocular complication. No patient with episcleritis had a decrease in visual acuity, whereas 33% of patients with scleritis did. Systemic diseases were found in 69% of episcleritis whereas 77% of patients with scleritis associated with systemic diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common one in both groups of patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Ocular complications, systemic diseases, and decrease in visual acuity are associated more of commonly with scleritis than episcleritis. When scleritis is suspected, careful examinations for associated ocular complications should be performed and be followed with history taking and evaluation for associated systemic disease.

Keyword

Episcleritis; Scleritis; Complication; Systemic disease

MeSH Terms

Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Humans
Keratitis
Retrospective Studies
Scleritis*
Visual Acuity