2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
9 Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
Chapter 7: Scleritis
Epidemiology
Scleritis does not show geographic or racial differences. The incidence of scleritis is estimated at 3.4–4.1 per 100,000 persons and prevalence at 5.2 per 100,000 persons in the United States (US). Scleritis is more common in females. In tertiary centers, however, scleritis comprises 0.1%–2.6% of newly referred cases. Nonnecrotizing anterior scleritis is the most common form of the disease. While noninfectious scleritis is more common in the US, it is important to consider infectious scleritis, including herpetic, nocardial, mycobacterial, and fungal infection, in patients with risk factors based on medical and surgical history and geography.
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Homayounfar G, Nardone N, Borkar DS, et al. Incidence of scleritis and episcleritis: results from the Pacific Ocular Inflammation Study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2013;156(4):752–758.
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Honik G, Wong IG, Gritz DC. Incidence and prevalence of episcleritis and scleritis in Northern California. Cornea. 2013;32(12):1562–1566.
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Williamson J. Incidence of eye disease in cases of connective tissue disease. Trans Ophthalmol Soc U K. 1974;94(3):742–752.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 9 - Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.