Serologic Test and Therapeutic Drugs of Episcleritis and Scleritis

PURPOSE: To evaluate serologic tests and therapeutic drugs 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: Of a total of 26 patients, 5 patients (38.5%) with episcleritis and 7 patients (53.8%) with scleritis showed seropositivity. Rheumatoid factor (RF) (26.1%) and antinuclear antibody (ANA) (26.1%) were most commonly positive. Eleven patients (84.6%) with episcleritis group were given topical steroid, 3 patients (23.1%) were treated with systemic drugs due to ocular lesions, and 6 patients (46.2%) with systemic drug for underlying systemic diseases. In scleritis group, 11 patients (84.6%) were treated with topical steroid, 2 patients (15.4%) with systemic drugs for ocular lesions, and 7 patients (53.8%) with systemic drug for underlying systemic diseases. An average period of treatment time was 6.4 weeks in episcleritis and 11.1 weeks in scleritis. CONCLUSIONS: Serologic tests help document the underlying disorders in patients with scleritis and in those with persistent or often recurred episcleritis. Also treatment of episcleritis and scleritis requires understanding possible effects of systemic drugs adminstered for underlying disorder on ocular lesion, and requires cooperation with internists and rheumatolgists.

Clinical Features of the Episcleritis and the Scleritis

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.