SCLERITIS
Scleritis is a disorder in which the sclera becomes severely inflamed and red. It can be very painful. Scleritis is believed to be the result of the body’s immune system overreacting. The type of scleritis you have depends on the location of the inflammation.
The sclera is the protective outer layer of the eye, which is also the white part of the eye. It’s connected to muscles that help the eye move.
TYPES
There are two main types of scleritis: anterior (referring to the front of your sclera) and posterior (referring to the back of your sclera). Both anterior and posterior scleritis can also be diffuse, nodular or necrotizing.
- Diffuse scleritis: Diffuse scleritis is scattered all across your sclera. It’s the most common type.
- Nodular scleritis: Nodular scleritis is concentrated in one spot of the sclera. You can usually see the lump (nodule).
- Necrotizing scleritis: This most severe form of scleritis. It causes the most damage. It can destroy eye tissue and even result in the loss of your entire eye.
- There’s a form of necrotizing scleritis called scleromalacia perforans. It may not be painful but it can cause perforations (holes). This type accounts for 4% of scleritis.
Anterior scleritis, occurring at the front of the sclera, is the most common type of scleritis. Posterior scleritis, which affects the back of the sclera, represents about 10% of all cases of scleritis.
CAUSES
Sometimes, scleritis has no known cause. In many other cases, you may get scleritis if you have another type of medical condition, like an autoimmune illness. Other symptoms or conditions in this category include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis. This condition affects the joints on both sides of your body. Rheumatoid arthritis is the immune system condition most often associated with scleritis.
- Connective tissue diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus and its chronic inflammation disrupt many parts of your body, which may include your joints, your skin and organs — like your lungs, brain, kidneys and heart.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This term describes a group of disorders that cause chronic inflammation in your intestines.
- Sjögren’s syndrome. This autoimmune disorder restricts the amount of moisture provided by glands in your eyes and mouth.
- Scleroderma. In this disorder, normal tissue is replaced with dense, thick fibrous tissue.
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. This disease is the result of inflammation within your tissues (granulomatous inflammation) and blood vessels (vasculitis), which can damage organ systems.
Scleritis can also be associated with:
- Infections. Certain infections cause infectious scleritis. These can be bacterial, fungal or viral. Fungal infections usually have a less positive outlook than bacterial or viral infections. Lyme disease may also cause scleritis (Lyme scleritis).
- Trauma or injury to your eye, including surgical procedures. This type of injury often gives rise to infectious scleritis. In fact, one example of this is something called surgically induced necrotizing scleritis (SINS).
- Medications used to treat or prevent bone disease. These types of drugs include bisphosphonates and are known to cause inflammatory eye reactions.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THE SCLERITIS
The common signs and symptoms in different types of Scleritis are:
- Deep and severe ache in the eye
- Pain in the eye radiates to face, jaw or head
- Blurry vision
- Unexplained tears and excessive lacrimation
- Photosensitivity, i.e. eyes develop sensitivity to light
- Eyes look red in color due to inflammation
- Headaches that are deep seated
- Pain while moving the eyes
- Irritation in the eyes
- Double vision
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR SCLERITIS
Ayurvedic treatment for Scleritis aims at treating the ailment from root cause which means balancing the tridosha and eliminating the ama dosha which is responsible for the autoimmune condition. This is done with the help of herbal and natural compound composed medicines.
