Conjunctival Sensation in Scleritis.

PURPOSE: To investigate conjunctival sensation in patients with scleritis.

METHODS

Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients with scleritis. Conjunctival sensation was tested by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in four quadrants of the bulbar conjunctiva plus the area(s) of active or previously active inflammation; sensation was compared with the contralateral eye.

RESULTS

Of 28 patients with scleritis, nine had active scleritis and 19 had inactive scleritis. Eleven patients had a systemic autoimmune condition and five had infectious scleritis. The mean conjunctival sensation score of areas of inactive scleritis was significantly less than that of corresponding normal areas in the contralateral eye (p<0.001). Among patients with presumed herpetic scleritis, conjunctival sensation was significantly lower in the affected eye than in the unaffected eye (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Conjunctival sensation is decreased in areas of previously active inflammation from scleritis. Eyes with herpetic scleritis had reduced conjunctival sensation, even in areas without previous active inflammation.