Nonrheumatologic diseases in episcleritis or scleritis
What nonrheumatologic diseases should be considered in a patient presenting with episcleritis or scleritis?
Infections such as herpes zoster, herpes simplex, aspergillus, tuberculosis (TB), syphilis, Lyme, pseudomonas, and other bacterial infections account for ∼5% of episcleritis and 5% to 10% of scleritis cases. A high index of suspicion must be maintained for infectious causes in the setting of the chronic immunosuppression typical of rheumatology patients.
Oral and intravenous (IV) bisphosphonates, trauma, and malignancies (penetration by ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative lesions and intraocular tumors) are rare causes.
