Condition

Scleritis

Also known as Deep Scleral Inflammation, Painful Red Eye, Anterior Scleritis, Posterior Scleritis, Necrotizing Scleritis

Updated May 16, 2026For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. See our terms.

Bottom Line

Scleritis is deep inflammation in the white wall of the eye. It can threaten sight, so deep eye pain with redness needs urgent eye care.

Scleritis inflames the sclera, the strong white wall that protects the eye. It often causes deep aching pain, redness, and light sensitivity 1.

It is more serious than episcleritis. In one large series, eye complications were much more common with scleritis than episcleritis 2.

Some cases are linked to autoimmune disease or infection. Treatment may need anti-inflammatory pills, steroid medicine, or immune medicine 3.

Symptoms

Scleritis symptoms are usually stronger than simple pink eye.

  • Deep aching pain. Pain may spread to the brow, temple, or jaw.
  • Dark red or violet redness. The white of the eye can look deeply inflamed.
  • Light sensitivity. Bright light may hurt.
  • Blurred vision. This can mean the cornea, retina, or optic nerve is involved.
  • Pain with eye movement. This is common when deeper tissue is inflamed.
Do not wait: Deep eye pain with redness needs urgent eye care, especially with blurry vision.

Diagnosis and Treatment

An eye doctor diagnoses scleritis with a slit lamp, a microscope used for eye exams. The exam checks how deep the redness is and whether nearby eye parts are inflamed.

Treatment depends on severity and cause.

  • Anti-inflammatory pills. These may help milder noninfectious scleritis.
  • Steroid medicine. Drops, pills, or injections may be used for stronger inflammation.
  • Immune medicine. Some patients need medicine that quiets an overactive immune system.
  • Antibiotic or antiviral medicine. This is used when infection is suspected.
  • Specialist care. Severe scleritis may need both an eye inflammation specialist and a rheumatologist.

Scleritis often needs systemic treatment, meaning medicine that works through the whole body 2.

Linked Health Problems

Scleritis can happen by itself. It can also be linked to health problems outside the eye.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis. This is one of the better known links.
  • Blood-vessel inflammation. Some whole-body inflammatory diseases can involve the sclera.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease. Eye inflammation can occur with bowel disease.
  • Shingles, herpes, or other infection. Infection changes the treatment plan.
  • Recent eye surgery or injury. These can raise concern for infection.

A review found systemic autoimmune disease in roughly one third of scleritis patients 1.

Common Questions About Scleritis

It needs urgent eye care. Go to the emergency room for sudden vision loss, chemical splash, or major eye injury. Otherwise, deep pain with redness should be checked the same day.

Next Steps

  1. 1Seek same-day urgent eye care for deep eye pain with redness.
  2. 2Go to the emergency room for sudden vision loss, chemical splash, or major eye injury.
  3. 3Tell your eye doctor about arthritis, bowel disease, rashes, infections, and immune medicines.
  4. 4Use prescribed medicine exactly as directed and do not stop steroids suddenly.
  5. 5Keep follow-up visits until the inflammation is quiet.

Find specialists for Scleritis

Board-certified ophthalmologists who treat Scleritis.

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