Clinical Profile of Scleritis Presenting for the First Time in the Elderly

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To analyze clinical characteristics of scleritis in elderly patients and also compare the data with relatively younger patients with scleritis (<60 years). Method Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with scleritis who visited a tertiary eye care centre between 2008 and 2018. Result Scleritis in ≥60 years accounted for 3% of the total scleritis cases. The mean age of the patients was 67 ± 6 years, and a female (66%) predominance was noted. Of the 44 elderly patients with scleritis, 48% were 66–70 years of age and 20% were above 70 years of age. Diffuse scleritis was the most common subtypes followed by necrotizing scleritis (35%). Overall, 32% of elderly patients with scleritis had underlying disease and the most common systemic association was granulomatous with polyangiitis. When compared with a subset of patients (<60 years of age), the elderly group showed higher rate of recurrences and complications. Conclusion Scleritis in elderly patients is relatively rare but can have a higher recurrence rate with a increased complications.