Optical coherence tomography versus ophthalmic examination findings in the management of anterior scleritis: A prospective study.

Purpose: The goal of this work was to analyze optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings compared to ophthalmic examination results in the management of anterior scleritis.

Methods: We carried out a prospective study including patients presenting with anterior scleritis who underwent complete clinical examinations and OCT at baseline and at the final follow-up visit.

Results: The mean age was 46years. The superior and temporal quadrants were clinically the most involved regions and showed the greatest thickness on the OCT images. Nodules were observed clinically in 6 patients, while OCT revealed them in 9 cases. OCT revealed 3 cases of sub-clinical necrosis. Separation of fibers, scleral edema, dilated vessels, fluid pockets and increased scleral thickness were the most common signs of the disease. Mean total scleral thickness and mean scleral-episcleral complex thickness were significantly improved after treatment (P=0.001 and P=0.00; respectively). Post-streptococcal syndrome (PSS) was diagnosed in 3 cases of non-necrotizing anterior scleritis. Necrotizing forms were low-grade and were associated with systemic diseases in 2 out of 3 patients. OCT signs persisted for a substantial time after resolution of clinical signs.

Conclusion: OCT helped to distinguish necrosis and scleral nodules in subclinical cases. Non-necrotizing forms of scleritis supported the diagnosis of PSS, while necrotizing forms suggested systemic diseases. Complete resolution of a scleral inflammation could be followed more objectively with OCT than by clinical examination.