Scleritis, episcleritis, and uveitis are inflammatory eye conditions affecting different parts of the eye, with distinct characteristics, causes, and treatments. Below is a concise comparison:

1. Episcleritis

• Location: Inflammation of the episclera, the thin layer between the sclera and conjunctiva.
• Symptoms:
  • Mild redness (often sectoral), discomfort, or irritation.
  • Rarely affects vision.
  • No discharge or severe pain.
• Appearance: Localized, pinkish-red patch; may have a nodular appearance.
• Causes:
  • Usually idiopathic; can be associated with stress or minor trauma.
  • Rarely linked to systemic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
• Severity: Mild, self-limiting (resolves in 1–2 weeks).
• Treatment:
  • Often resolves without treatment.
  • Artificial tears, topical NSAIDs, or mild steroids if needed.
• Vision Impact: Minimal to none.

2. Scleritis

• Location: Inflammation of the sclera, the white outer layer of the eye.
• Symptoms:
  • Severe, deep, boring eye pain (may radiate to face).
  • Redness (diffuse or nodular), often with a bluish/purple hue.
  • Photophobia, tearing, possible vision loss if severe.
• Appearance: Deep, violaceous redness; may involve scleral thinning (in necrotizing cases).
• Causes:
  • Often associated with systemic autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, granulomatosis with polyangiitis).
  • Can be infectious (e.g., herpes, tuberculosis) or idiopathic.
• Severity: Serious; can lead to complications like scleral perforation or vision loss.
• Treatment:
  • Oral or topical corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs.
  • Treat underlying systemic conditions.
  • Urgent referral to an ophthalmologist.
• Vision Impact: Moderate to severe if untreated.

3. Uveitis

• Location: Inflammation of the uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, choroid); classified as anterior, intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis.
• Symptoms:
  • Redness, moderate to severe pain (especially in anterior uveitis).
  • Photophobia, blurred vision, floaters (posterior uveitis).
  • May have systemic symptoms if linked to other diseases.
• Appearance:
  • Ciliary flush (redness around the cornea) in anterior uveitis.
  • Posterior uveitis may show retinal changes (visible on exam).
• Causes:
  • Autoimmune diseases (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, sarcoidosis).
  • Infections (e.g., toxoplasmosis, herpes, syphilis).
  • Idiopathic or trauma-related.
• Severity: Ranges from mild to severe; can cause complications like glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal damage.
• Treatment:
  • Topical or systemic corticosteroids, pupil dilators (to prevent synechiae).
  • Treat underlying infections or systemic diseases.
  • Ophthalmologist management required.
• Vision Impact: Significant if untreated; can lead to permanent vision loss.

Key Differences

Feature	Episcleritis	Scleritis	Uveitis
Location	Episclera (superficial)	Sclera (deep)	Uvea (iris, ciliary body, choroid)
Pain	Mild or none	Severe, deep	Moderate to severe (varies)
Redness	Localized, pinkish	Diffuse, violaceous	Ciliary flush or diffuse
Vision Impact	Rare	Possible if severe	Common, varies by type
Systemic Link	Rare	Common (autoimmune, infectious)	Common (autoimmune, infectious)
Treatment	Conservative, often none	Aggressive (steroids, immunosuppressants)	Steroids, specific to cause
Urgency	Low	High	High

Notes

• Diagnosis: Requires clinical evaluation by an ophthalmologist, often with slit-lamp exam. Scleritis and uveitis may need imaging or lab tests to identify systemic causes.
• Complications: Episcleritis rarely causes complications; scleritis and uveitis can lead to vision-threatening issues if untreated.
• When to Seek Care: Episcleritis can often be monitored, but scleritis and uveitis require urgent specialist referral due to potential for serious complications.

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Disclaimer: owerl is not a doctor; please consult one.