Watson and Hayreh classification to distinguish the different types of scleritis. Classification is based upon whether the disease is affecting the anterior (front) or posterior (back) of the sclera. The anterior forms are most likely to have an underlying illness as part of their cause.

The subtypes of anterior scleritis include:

• anterior scleritis: the most common form of scleritis
• nodular anterior scleritis: the second most common form
• necrotizing anterior scleritis with inflammation: the most serious form of anterior scleritis
• necrotizing anterior scleritis without inflammation: the rarest form of anterior scleritis
• posterior scleritis: more difficult to diagnose and detect because it has variable symptoms, including many that mimic other disorders

SYMPTOMS OF SCLERITIS

Each type of scleritis has similar symptoms, and they can worsen if the condition isn’t treated. Severe eye pain that responds poorly to painkillers is the main symptom of scleritis. Eye movements are likely to make the pain worse. The pain may spread throughout the entire face, particularly on the side of the affected eye.

Other symptoms may include:

• excessive tearing, or lacrimation
• decreased vision
• blurry vision
• sensitivity to light, or photophobia
• redness of the sclera, or white portion of your eye

The symptoms of posterior scleritis are not as evident because it does not cause the severe pain as other types. Symptoms include:

• deep-seated headaches
• pain caused by eye movement
• eye irritation
• double vision

Some people experience little to no pain from scleritis. This may be because they have:

• a milder case
• scleromalacia perforans, which is a rare complication of advanced rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• a history of using immunosuppressive medications (they prevent activity in the immune system) before symptoms began

There are theories that the immune system’s T cells cause scleritis. The immune system is a network of organs, tissues, and circulating cells that work together to stop bacteria and viruses from causing illness. T cells work to destroy incoming pathogens, which are organisms that can cause disease or illness. In scleritis, they’re believed to begin attacking the eye’s own scleral cells. Doctors still aren’t sure why this happens.

RISK FACTORS 

Scleritis may occur at any age. Women are more likely to develop it than men. There’s no specific race or area of the world where this condition is more common.

• Wegener’s disease (Wegener’s granulomatosis), which is an uncommon disorder that involves inflammation of the blood vessels
• rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune disorder causing inflammation of the joints
• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which causes digestive symptoms due to inflammation of the bowel
• Sjogren’s syndrome, which is an immune disorder known for causing dry eyes and mouth
• lupus, an immune disorder that causes skin inflammation
• eye infections (may or may not be related to autoimmune disease)
• damage to eye tissues from an accident

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR SCLERITIS