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Episcleritis is a common inflammatory condition of the membrane covering the
sclera called episclera. The episclera lies between the conjunctiva and the
sclera. It has plenty of blood vessels that give nourishment to the sclera.
The cause is unkown. A small percentage of patients may be suffering from
Sjogren’s symdrome, tuberculosis, herpes zoster, rheumatoid arthritis, and
syphillis.
Symptoms consist of mild pain or tenderness , lacrimation, purple or dark
red discoloration of the eye, sensitivity to light, ocular discomfort, and
photophobia. The lesion appears as a flat or raised hard non- movable nodule
surrounded by dark red discoloration in the ciliary region.
This is a disease of the young adult. It is self-limiting. It disappears
within 1 -2 weeks. The inflammation may be shortened by topical steroid but
they make recurrences more difficult to treat. Relapses often occur.
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