Scleritis is inflammation that occurs in the sclera or the white part of the eyeball. This disease cannot be considered trivial. If it is not treated properly right away, scleritis can cause severe eye damage, even blindness.
Sclera is the outer layer of the eye that is white and hard. This part of the eye is composed of connective tissue fibers. The sclera extends from the edge of the cornea to the optic nerve located behind the eye.
Causes and Risk Factors for Scleritis in the Eye
The cause of scleritis is generally not clearly known, but it is often associated with inflammation that occurs in the body. This inflammation can be caused by autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition, there are several risk factors that can increase a person to develop scleritis. Some risk factors for scleritis include:
- 40-50 years old.
- Female sex.
- Suffering from connective tissue diseases, such as vasculitis.
- Having eye infection.
- Have experienced eye injury.
- Have a history of eye surgery.
Types of scleritis in the eye
Based on the part of the eye that is disturbed, scleritis can be divided into two types, namely:
Anterior scleritis
Anterior scleritis is inflammation that occurs in the sclera on the front side of the eyeball. Anterior scleritis can cause the white areas of the eyeball to appear red. In some cases, anterior scleritis can cause small bumps on the eye sclera.
This type of scleritis is further divided into several types, namely:
- Anterior diffuse. This is the most common scleritis disease and can be treated. This type of scleritis causes widespread red eye and inflammation in all or part of the front of the sclera.
- Nodular This type of scleritis is characterized by a bump on the surface of the eye. This lump is soft and feels painful to the touch.
- Necrotizing. This is the most severe type of anterior scleritis because it can damage the sclera tissue. Necrotizing scleritis can cause severe pain in the eyeball. If not treated, this type of scleritis can even make sufferers lose eyeballs.
Posterior scleritis
Posterior scleritis is inflammation of the sclera on the back side of the eyeball. Posterior scleritis sometimes appears together with anterior scleritis.
Symptoms of posterior scleritis are sometimes difficult to detect because they are not visible from the outside. Posterior scleritis generally does not cause red eyes or grow lumps, but this type of scleritis can cause swelling in the eyeball that can cause blurred vision.
Whatever the type, scleritis needs to be examined by an eye doctor. Management of scleritis is very dependent on the severity and causes.
Doctors can give anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to reduce pain and inflammation in the sclera. If the sclera is torn or badly damaged, surgery may be needed.
Scleritis is a serious disease. There is no treatment or treatment step at home that can be done to overcome this disease. If you experience symptoms of scleritis, you need to see your ophthalmologist immediately to get treatment.
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