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Episcleritis

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Reviewed/Revised Apr 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
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The conjunctiva is the clear, thin tissue that lines the inside of your eyelid and covers the white of your eye.

The sclera is the white outer layer of your eyeball.

The episclera is the layer of clear tissue between the conjunctiva and the sclera.

What is episcleritis?

Episcleritis is inflammation (irritation and swelling) of your episclera.

Parts of the Eye

Parts of the Eye

What are the symptoms of episcleritis?

Eye symptoms usually happen in one eye and include:

  • Redness

  • Swelling

  • Irritation or tenderness

  • A red or yellowish raised area over part of the white part of your eye that sometimes can look bumpy

You won't have any trouble seeing.

How do doctors treat episcleritis?

Episcleritis goes away on its own without treatment. To make your symptoms go away faster, doctors will tell you to:

  • Take an anti-inflammatory pain medicine, such as ibuprofen

  • Use corticosteroid eye drops if symptoms are more severe

Eye drops that shrink blood vessels (sold over-the-counter) might make your eye look less red. But they don't make the episcleritis go away any faster.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
Advil, Advil Children's, Advil Children's Fever, Advil Infants', Advil Junior Strength, Advil Migraine, Caldolor, Children's Ibuprofen, ElixSure IB, Genpril , Ibren , IBU, Midol, Midol Cramps and Body Aches, Motrin, Motrin Children's, Motrin IB, Motrin Infants', Motrin Junior Strength, Motrin Migraine Pain, PediaCare Children's Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB, PediaCare Infants' Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB, Samson-8
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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