Episcleritis

What it is

Episcleritis affects the episclera, a thin layer above the white wall of the eye. It is much more common and less serious than scleritis, which affects deeper tissues and causes severe pain.

Common symptoms

Symptoms are usually mild and may affect one or both eyes.

• A localised red patch on the white of the eye
• Mild discomfort, grittiness or watering
• Usually no severe pain or vision loss
• May recur in episodes

Causes

Often no cause is found. It can be linked to dry eye, mild infection, or autoimmune conditions, and sometimes occurs in people who also get gout or inflammatory bowel disease.

Treatment

Many cases need only lubricating drops and time. If symptoms persist or recur, a clinician may advise anti-inflammatory drops. A painful, deep red eye with marked pain should be assessed urgently to rule out scleritis.