Akademik

Scleritis

Inflammation of the sclera, the tough white outer coat of the eyeball. Classic scleritis affects the sclera itself and is not a benign disease. It may impair vision. The principal symptom is severe general head pain. Scleritis occurs in association with systemic collagen diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Wegener's granulomatosis and, less often, lupus. The cause is unknown but when it occurs in the setting of one of these autoimmune diseases, the scleritis is generally thought to be due to the immune system attacking the sclera. Treatment is difficult. It may include administration of anti-inflammatory and cortisone-related medications either by mouth, intravenously, or even injected into the eye. The term scleritis also includes episcleritis, inflammation of the episclera, a thin membrane that covers the sclera. Episcleritis is typically benign, easily treated and usually soon resolved.

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Inflammation of the sclera.

- anterior s. inflammation of the sclera adjacent to the cornea.

- anular s. an often protracted inflammation of the anterior portion of the sclera, forming a ring around the corneoscleral limbus.

- brawny s. a gelatinous-appearing swelling surrounding, and with a tendency to involve the periphery of, the cornea. SYN: gelatinous s..

- deep s. severe inflammation of the sclera, with involvement of the underlying uvea.

- gelatinous s. SYN: brawny s..

- malignant s. progressive inflammation of the anterior sclera and adjacent choroid with associated uveitis.

- necrotizing s. fibrinoid degeneration and necrosis of the sclera.

- nodular s. firm, immobile, single or multiple areas of localized s..

- posterior s. inflammation, often monocular, of the sclera adjacent to the optic nerve, with frequent extension to the retina and choroid.

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scle·ri·tis sklə-'rīt-əs n inflammation of the sclera

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inflammation of the sclera (the white of the eye).

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scle·ri·tis (sklə-riґtis) [scler- + -itis] inflammation of the sclera, with dilation of the scleral, episcleral, and bulbar conjunctival vessels. It may be confined to a sector or diffuse, and presents with severe, boring pain, photophobia, tearing, and decreased visual acuity. It is often associated with systemic disease, particulary rheumatoid arthritis. Cf. episcleritis.

Medical dictionary. 2011.