Corneacare Logo
  • CorneaCare Logo
  • Shop
    • Shop All
    • Eyelid Hygiene
    • Eye Vitamins
    • Eye Drops
    • Eyecare Bundles
  • Education
    • Dry Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye 101
      • Causes & Diagnosis
      • Lifestyle
      • Treatment
      • Why It Matters
    • Eye Health & Wellness
    • Eye Glossary
    • Take the Quiz
  • Community
  • App
  • Take the Quiz
  • Contact us
  • Login
  • My Account
Login
Cart Icon 0
Take the Quiz
  • Shop
  • Education
  • Our App
  • Take the Quiz
  • Shop
  • Education
  • Our App
  • Take the Quiz

A-Z Glossary

Table of Contents

Episclera

Courtney Dryer, OD
Written byCourtney Dryer, OD
Courtney Dryer, OD
Courtney Dryer, ODOptometristCharlotte, NC

Bio

Dr. Courtney Dryer earned her doctorate from Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee in 2011. She opened her own practice Autarchic Spec Shop in 2013 in Charlotte, NC. She has had the privilege of writing for numerous optometric publications and serving in various industry capacities. In 2015, Vision Monday named her a rising star and one of the most influential women in optometry. Her optometric passions include practice management, specialty contact lenses, and dry eye management.

  • Last updated January 27, 2023

What is the Episclera?

The episclera is a fibroelastic structure consisting of two layers joined together loosely. It is the white of the eye. The outer parietal layer, with the vessels of the superficial episcleral capillary plexus, is the more superficial layer. The superficial vessels appear straight and are arranged radially. The deeper visceral layer contains a highly connected network of vessels.

Both vessel networks originate from the anterior ciliary arteries, which stem from the muscular branches of the ophthalmic artery. The episclera lies between the superficial scleral stroma and Tenon’s capsule. 

Key Takeaways

  • Episclera is a fibroelastic structure between the sclera and Tenon’s capsule.
  • Inflammation of the episcleral can be of unknown cause or from systemic disease.
  • Episcleritis may resolve on its own or require treatment.
You brush your teeth,
moisturize your skin,
what about your eyes?
Take the quiz

Understanding the Episclera

The episclera is a layer of the eye that can be affected by acute, unilateral, or bilateral inflammation called episcleritis. Episcleritis can be diffuse, sectoral, or nodular, and is most often idiopathic (cause unknown), but can also be associated with systemic conditions and infections. Nodular episcleritis is classified by a small, elevated area of inflamed episcleral tissue. In simple episcleritis, vascular congestion is present in the absence of an obvious nodule.

Episclera Inflammation

The majority of episcleritis cases are idiopathic, but 26% to 36% of patients have cases associated with a systemic disease. The following systemic conditions may cause episcleritis: Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, reactive arthritis, relapsing polychondritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polyarteritis nodosa, Behcet’s disease, Cogan syndrome, and granulomatosis with polyangiitis, formerly called Wegener granulomatosis.

Episclera Symptoms

If the episclera is inflamed, symptoms may include:

  • Sectoral or diffuse redness
  • Mild ocular discomfort
  • Normal vision

Risk Factors for Episclera Inflammation

Episcleritis is most diagnosed in young to middle-aged females and is rarely diagnosed in children. The incidence and prevalence of episcleritis are higher in populations with collagen-vascular and autoimmune disease. 

Diagnosing Episclera Inflammation

Episcleral inflammation is diagnosed by an eye doctor.  They can view the episclera through the slit lamp. When a systemic condition is suspected, blood work or imaging may be performed to confirm systemic diagnosis.

Episclera Treatments

Most cases of episcleritis are mild and will resolve without treatment within 2 to 21 days. Supportive treatment may include refrigerated artificial tears at least four times daily. Some patients may require medical treatment depending on the severity of their symptoms. For those patients who need treatment, a mild topical corticosteroid such as fluorometholone 0.1% or loteprednol etabonate 0.5% may be prescribed four times a day for 1 to 2 weeks then tapered. Oral NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may be used as an alternative to topical steroids. 

Bibliography

  1. Episcleritis.  AAO Wiki. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://eyewiki.org/Episcleritis
  2. Héron E, Bourcier T. Sclérites et épisclérites [Scleritis and episcleritis]. J Fr Ophtalmol. 2017 Oct;40(8):681-695. French. doi: 10.1016/j.jfo.2017.04.007. Epub 2017 Sep 13. PMID: 28916114.
  3. Schonberg S, Stokkermans TJ. Episcleritis. 2022 Mar 16. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 30521217.

 

Related Terms

Loading...

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

represents a group of rare childhood neurodegenerative diseases characterized by abnormal build up of lipofuscin

Chemosis

is the swelling of the conjunctiva, which is the clear membrane over the eyelids and the surface of the eye

Femtosecond Laser

is an infrared laser primarily used for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery

Pars Plana

is the posterior part of the ciliary body, located in the middle of the eye

Photopsia

the perception of flashes of light in ones vision

Dermatochalasis

describes the presence of loose and redundant eyelid skin. It is most often caused by aging

Related Articles

Loading...
  • Eye Health & Wellness

How Long is an Eye Exam?

7 min read

Eye exams are an important part of your overall health, and we’ll cover how long an eye exam is so you can fit it in your schedule.
Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

  • Eye Health & Wellness

Why Does My Eye Feel Sore? Understanding the Causes and Remedies

7 min read

We cover the many reasons why your eye may feel sore, how to get relief, and when to see your eye doctor.
Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

  • Eye Health & Wellness

Causes of Eye Discoloration in the White Part

6 min read

We cover the many causes of eye discoloration in the white part of the eye and when to see your eye doctor.
Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

Logo_Corneacare_White

    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Education
    • Community
    • App
    • Eye Glossary
    Menu
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Education
    • Community
    • App
    • Eye Glossary
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    Instagram Facebook_Pink Youtube Twitter Tiktok
    Copyright – © 2023 CorneaCare, Inc. ⚡️ All rights reserved
    *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

    Wholesale inquiry

    Please fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.

    20% OFF Personalized Eyecare
    20% OFF personalized eyecare
    Take the quiz
    20% OFF personalized, convenient and effective eyecare
    20% OFF personalized eyecare
    Take the quiz
    Take the quiz