Is Episcleritis Associated to Glaucoma?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to show possible connection between episcleritis and open-angle glaucoma.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on 21 patients who suffered from episcleritis and had no previous attack of episcleritis or glaucoma were collected for a period of 8 years (from 2004 to 2011).

RESULTS

Six of the 21 patients of the study group (28.6%) were diagnosed as suffering from glaucoma. Four patients had a diffuse conjunctival congestion, 1 had sectoral congestion, and for 1 patient there was no record of conjunctival congestion. Two of the 6 patients with episcleritis and glaucoma experienced recurrent episcleritis events during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests an association between episcleritis and open-angle glaucoma.