LABORATORY EVALUATION
Scleritis can occur in association with various systemic infectious diseases, including syphilis, tuberculosis, herpes zoster, Lyme disease, “cat-scratch” disease, and leprosy (Hansen disease). It is most frequently seen, however, in association with autoimmune or connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and seronegative spondyloarthropathies (eg, ankylosing spondylitis) or secondary to vasculitides such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener granulomatosis), polyarteritis nodosa, and giant cell arteritis. Metabolic diseases such as gout may also, in rare instances, be associated with scleritis. More than 50% of patients with scleritis have an identifiable associated systemic disease. The differential diagnosis of scleritis is similar to that of PUK (see Table 11-3).
The workup of scleritis should therefore include a complete physical examination, with attention to the joints, skin, and cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It is recommended that the ophthalmologist consult with a rheumatologist or other internist with experience in diagnosing and managing these conditions. Laboratory studies should always be guided by the history and findings of the physical examination. However, the laboratory tests listed in Table 11-5 are generally recommended as an initial screening.
Table 11-5 Initial Laboratory Workup for Scleritis
MANAGEMENT
Although topical corticosteroids can be used to alleviate symptoms, the treatment of scleritis is systemic. A guideline for the treatment of patients with scleritis has been proposed by Sainz de la Maza et al and is shown in Figure 11-27. It is important to clearly define treatment goals: treatment failure may be defined as progression of disease to a more severe form (eg, nodular to necrotizing) or failure to achieve response to treatment after 2–3 weeks of therapy, in which case an alternate therapeutic strategy will need to be instituted. Idiopathic diffuse and nodular forms of scleritis, which have no ocular complications and little scleral inflammation, may be responsive to treatment with oral NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin). If one NSAID is not effective, another may be tried; only one NSAID should be prescribed at a time. Systemic corticosteroid treatment may be used if the patient is unresponsive to NSAIDs or inflammation is more severe; NSAIDs and steroids should not be given simultaneously. Prednisone may be started at 1 mg/kg daily and then tapered within the first 2 weeks of treatment. Remission may be maintained with NSAIDs. Gastroprotective medication should be given to patients prescribed NSAIDs or steroids.
If corticosteroid treatment fails or the patient relapses after tapering the steroid, immunosuppression therapy may be considered. These cases often respond to antimetabolites (eg, methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil). Immunosuppression treatment (eg, antimetabolites; T-cell inhibitors such as cyclosporin A or tacrolimus; alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide) or biologic response modifiers (eg, anti-TNF-α medications such as infliximab; anti-CD20 agents such as rituximab) are usually necessary in patients with associated systemic disease, necrotizing scleritis, and/or progressive destructive ocular lesions.
Patients receiving systemic treatment must be monitored closely by a physician specially trained in the administration of these medications and in the early detection and management of their complications. In addition, they should be informed that close follow-up with the ophthalmologist and partnering providers is necessary to monitor their disease status and treatment. Antituberculosis and anti-Pneumocystis coverage may be necessary for at-risk patients. In patients whose systemic evaluation is initially negative, it is important to repeat the workup annually.
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Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.