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SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyDrug Reaction DataReferences

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Diffuse episcleritis - External and Internal Eye
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Diffuse episcleritis - External and Internal Eye

Contributors: Brandon D. Ayres MD, Christopher Rapuano MD, Harvey A. Brown MD, Sunir J. Garg MD, Lauren Patty Daskivich MD, MSHS
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Diffuse episcleritis is a frequently recurring inflammatory condition of the episcleral tissue, which is often bilateral. Onset is usually acute. Symptoms may only be that of a reddened area of the surface of the eye or include pain, photophobia, tearing, and a hot prickly feeling with rare tenderness to manipulation. About one third of patients have an associated underlying systemic condition. Unlike the nodular form of the disease, most episodes of diffuse episcleritis are of short duration (10–21 days) and usually require little if any treatment. The incidence is higher in females and is more common in the fourth to fifth decades. Recurrences may be of either the diffuse type or the nodular type of episcleritis.

Codes

ICD10CM:
H15.109 – Unspecified episcleritis, unspecified eye

SNOMEDCT:
314549003 – Diffuse episcleritis

Look For

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

The most common differential diagnoses are those conditions producing a red eye, such as conjunctivitis (viral, allergic), keratoconjunctivitis, intraocular inflammatory disease, trauma, and scleritis. The latter is ruled out as noted in the Diagnostic Pearls section. Hyperuricemia (occurring in about 10% of cases) can be overlooked.

Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.

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References

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Last Updated:01/24/2013
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Diffuse episcleritis - External and Internal Eye
A medical illustration showing key findings of Diffuse episcleritis : Eye pain, Photophobia, Bilateral distribution, Eye burning, Recurring episodes or relapses, Excessive tearing
Clinical image of Diffuse episcleritis - imageId=2892296. Click to open in gallery.
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