episcertitis/scelritis/uveitis

[matty_boston]

After a couple of months of office visits,.my opthamologist finally narrowed my red eye down to either episcertitis, scelritis, or uveitis.

My symtoms are:
redness in one eye (other eye has some under slit lamp)
No loss of vision
Very infrequent pain - approx 1 day/month when I move my eyes - dull, not sharp

I am concerned that I might have scleritis which is the worse of the three? My opthamologist did dilute my pupils and noticed that my redness didn't blanche completely. Is that a sign of scelritis and not epicscleritis?

She has sent me in for a consult with a uveitis scheudled next week.

My questions are: should I schedule it sooner or am I ok since no loss of vision and minimal pain?
What are the differences in symptoms between episcelritis and scelritis?
Should my primary care physican be doing something in the mean time ?

Thanks!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I think it is a great idea that you are seeing a uveitis  specialist.  It sounds like you are more likely to have episcleritis since it is the milder of the two.  True scleritis is often relentless, painful, severely red, and sometimes quite damaging to the eye.  It might not be a bad idea to have some basic blood tests for arthritis, lupus and autoimmune diseases.  The uveitis specialist will be able to lead your workup in the right direction.  Again, you are doing the right thing and I can't really help you nearly as much as the new doctor will.  Good Luck.

Michael Kutryb, MD

[matty_boston]

Thanks Dr! Just as a follow up, should I have the uveitis specialists perform all the bloodwork test etc? Do I need to get my primary care doctor involved in anything?

Thanks!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Talk to uveitis specialist and see what blood tests (if any) are recommended then have them done wherever it is most convenient.  Copies of all tests should go to primary care doctor.

Michael Kutryb, MD