[Differential diagnosis of treatment of episcleritis and scleritis]

The purpose of the present investigation was to develop an optimal approach to rehabilitating patients with episcleritis and scleritis of various etiology. The paper summarizes the results of examination and treatment in 128 patients (142 eyes) with the acute chronic course of the diseases. To specify the etiopathogenesis of a disease, the patients were examined by a rheumatologist, an immunologist, a virologist, a phthisiatrician, an ENT specialist, and a roentgenologist. Rhinofrequency ultrasound biomicroscopy was made in the diagnosis of scleral inflammatory diseases. Ultrasound studies (ultrasound biomicroscopy and B-scanning of the eye) were additionally conducted. Complex therapy produced a marked positive clinical effect in 124 patients (138 eyes). During 5 years, immunological parameters improved in all the examined. Thus, episcleritis and scleritis are an overall immunological disorder and frequently associated with infections. Current laboratory clinical and instrumental studies considerably enhance the efficiency of the diagnosis and, hence, treatment of these diseases.