Which condition involves inflammation of the sclera, the white outer layer of the eye?

Which condition involves inflammation of the sclera, the white outer layer of the eye?

• A. Uveitis
• B. Scleritis
• C. Visual Impairment
• D. Hypertensive Retinopathy

Answer: (B)

Inflammation of the sclera, the white outer coat of the eye, is scleritis. The sclera is the tough fibrous layer that gives the eyeball its shape, and when it becomes inflamed you typically feel deep, painful eye pain that may be severe and worsened by eye movement. Redness is common, and the eye may feel tender to touch; in some cases the sclera can thicken or thin, giving a bluish tint as underlying tissues show through. Scleritis often accompanies systemic autoimmune diseases, so clinicians may look for an associated condition. This differs from uveitis, which inflames the middle eye structures (iris, ciliary body, choroid) and usually presents with light sensitivity and a different pattern of redness; hypertensive retinopathy involves blood-vessel changes in the retina due to high blood pressure rather than an inflammatory process, and visual impairment simply denotes reduced vision without specifying an inflammation.

Inflammation of the sclera, the white outer coat of the eye, is scleritis. The sclera is the tough fibrous layer that gives the eyeball its shape, and when it becomes inflamed you typically feel deep, painful eye pain that may be severe and worsened by eye movement. Redness is common, and the eye may feel tender to touch; in some cases the sclera can thicken or thin, giving a bluish tint as underlying tissues show through. Scleritis often accompanies systemic autoimmune diseases, so clinicians may look for an associated condition. This differs from uveitis, which inflames the middle eye structures (iris, ciliary body, choroid) and usually presents with light sensitivity and a different pattern of redness; hypertensive retinopathy involves blood-vessel changes in the retina due to high blood pressure rather than an inflammatory process, and visual impairment simply denotes reduced vision without specifying an inflammation.