Episcleritis: Fast, Practical Guide to Spotting and Treating It

Red, irritated eye that looks dramatic but doesn’t hurt much? That could be episcleritis. It’s a common, usually harmless inflammation of the thin layer covering the white of your eye. People worry because the redness can look alarming, but most cases are mild and resolve quickly with simple care.

What episcleritis looks and feels like

You’ll notice a bright red or pink patch on the white part of the eye. The redness often stays in one area and may move a little if the inflammation spreads. You might feel mild tenderness, gritty sensation, or light sensitivity, but severe pain is uncommon. Vision is almost always normal—if your sight blurs, call a doctor right away.

Causes & risk factors

Often there’s no clear trigger. Episcleritis can happen on its own or pop up after a cold, minor eye irritation, or contact lens use. It’s also linked with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease in a small number of cases. Young adults and women get it more often, but anyone can have it.

Smoking and dry eyes don’t directly cause episcleritis, but they can make the eye feel worse. If you have a history of autoimmune disease, mention that to your provider—sometimes episcleritis is the first sign of an underlying condition.

Diagnosis is straightforward. An eye doctor examines your eye with a slit lamp to rule out scleritis, a deeper and more painful inflammation. Scleritis is serious and needs faster, stronger treatment—so the doctor will check the level of pain, any vision changes, and how the redness responds to gentle tests.

Treatment is simple for most people. Mild cases clear on their own in one to three weeks. You can ease symptoms with cool compresses and over-the-counter artificial tears. If you need relief faster, your doctor may prescribe topical steroid drops or oral anti-inflammatory meds for a short time.

If episcleritis recurs or is linked to another illness, your doctor might order blood tests or refer you to a rheumatologist. Treating the underlying condition often reduces eye flare-ups.

When should you see a doctor? If you have worsening pain, vision changes, intense light sensitivity, or the redness doesn’t improve in a week, get checked. Also see a provider if you have frequent episodes—finding a pattern helps prevent long-term problems.

Simple steps help at home: avoid rubbing the eye, use preservative-free artificial tears for comfort, and skip contact lenses until things clear up. Protect your eyes from bright light with sunglasses if you’re sensitive to light.

Episcleritis is usually a short, manageable issue. With basic care and a quick check from an eye doctor when needed, most people recover fully and move on without lasting effects.