Episcleritis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Episcleritis is irritation and inflammation of the episclera, a thin layer of tissue covering the white part (sclera) of the eye. It is not an infection.

T Causes
P Episcleritis is a common condition. In most cases the problem is mild and vision is normal.
P The cause is often unknown. But, it may occur with certain diseases, such as:
- Herpes zoster
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sjogren syndrome
- Syphilis
- Tuberculosis

T Symptoms
P Symptoms include:
- A pink or purple color to the normally white part of the eye
- Eye pain
- Eye tenderness
- Sensitivity to light
- Tearing of the eye

T Exams and Tests
P Your health care provider will do an eye exam to diagnose the disorder. Most of the time, no special tests are needed.

T Treatment
P The condition most often goes away on its own in 1 to 2 weeks. Using corticosteroid eye drops may help ease the symptoms faster.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P Episcleritis most often improves without treatment. However, treatment may make symptoms go away sooner.

T Possible Complications
P In some cases, the condition may return. Rarely, irritation and inflammation of the white part of the eye may develop. This is called scleritis.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of episcleritis that last for more than 2 weeks. Get checked again if your pain gets worse or you have problems with your vision.

T Images
- External and internal eye anatomy

T References
P Goldstein DA, Patel SS, Tessler HH. Episcleritis and scleritis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 4th ed. St Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier; 2014:chap 4.11.
P Watson P. Diseases of the sclera and episclera. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology. 2013 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 4;chap 23.
P Yanoff M, Cameron JD. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 423.

T Review Date 8/20/2016
P Updated by: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

