Episcleritis

Episcleritis
		SYMPTOMS	Discomfort/irritation \| Often asymptomatic
		SIGNS	Sectoral or diffuse injection \| Sometimes a nodule is present.
		WORK-UP	Thorough history. Slit lamp examination
		TREATMENT
			Observation \| Preservative-free artificial tears \| If significant, topical steroids may be used: Lotemax 1 gtt OU qid x 1 week \| Pred Forte 1% 1 gtt OU qid x 1 week
			Oral NSAIDs may be prescribed - ibuprofen 800 mg po tid
		FOLLOW-UP	Every 1-2 weeks during treatment
		ADDITIONAL LAB \| TESTS	Blood work can be ordered with chronic recurrence or if suspicion of systemic disease is present
		ETIOLOGY	Usually idiopathic, but could be caused by inflammation or infectious processes
		DIFFERENTIAL DX	Scleritis \| Phlyctenular conjunctivitis
		NOTES	Differentiate episcleritis from scleritis with the blanch test using 2.5% phenylephrine