- Reference Number: HEY1683/2026
- Departments: Ophthalmology Department
- Last Updated: 30 June 2026
Introduction
This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about your condition. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your doctor/ Nurse Practitioner but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team caring for you.
What is Episcleritis?
Episcleritis is a common condition which affects the episclera – the layer of tissue between the conjunctiva and the sclera.
There are two types of episcleritis.
- The most common type is diffuse episcleritis, the eyes surface may appear evenly red, it can be all over the eye or in a wedge shape.
- The less common type is called nodular episcleritis. It comes on more slowly and causes inflamed swollen bumps or nodules in the episclera. It mostly occurs in people with an underlying inflammatory condition.
The cause of episcleritis is mostly unknown. It’s often triggered by environmental factors, i.e. dry, dusty environment, when you are tired, have been reading or working for long periods on computers.
The symptoms of episcleritis include:
- Red and inflamed eye (usually one eye only)
- Irritation
- Sore/ gritty sensation
- Watering
- Ache to eye
Can there be any complications/ long term effects?
No, your vision is often not affected.
What is the treatment?
Episcleritis does not necessarily need any treatment.
If symptoms are mild, it will generally settle on its own.
Lubricating eye drops may ease the discomfort whilst symptoms settle – fridge stored lubricants are more effective. When possible, the use of Ibuprofen tablets is also recommended.
If the eye is very uncomfortable or the above treatment has not relieved symptoms, episcleritis can be treated with a short course of steroid eye drops.
Very rarely, it may be due to underlying inflammation in your body; this can be investigated with blood tests if the episcleritis is severe and recurrent.
When to seek advice
A recurrent ocular conditions (ROC) card will be given to you; this gives you access to be re booked back into the eye clinic should your symptoms return.
If episcleritis does not settle in a week, or if the pain becomes worse and your vision is affected, you can contact the Eye Clinic Triage Nurses on Tel: 01482 816658 and advice or appointment will be made for you to be seen in the urgent referral clinic.
Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Ophthalmology Triage Nurses on Tel: 01482 816658
General Advice and Consent
Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.
Consent to treatment
Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.
The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:
- you must be able to give your consent
- you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
- you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person
Information about you
We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.
We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.
If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.