What is Rare scleritis?
Rare scleritis is an uncommon inflammatory condition affecting the sclera, the tough white outer coat of the eye. Scleritis involves deep inflammation of the scleral tissue and can be classified as anterior (affecting the front portion of the sclera) or posterior (affecting the back portion). The condition is characterized by severe, boring eye pain that may radiate to the face, jaw, or temple, along with redness of the eye, tenderness, tearing, photophobia, and potential vision loss. In severe or necrotizing forms, scleral thinning can occur, which may threaten the structural integrity of the globe. Scleritis is frequently associated with underlying systemic autoimmune or connective tissue disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and relapsing polychondritis, though it can also occur as an isolated ocular condition. Rarely, infectious etiologies may be responsible. The designation as a rare disease under Orphanet (ORPHA:648559) reflects cases that fall outside the more commonly encountered presentations, potentially including atypical, refractory, or particularly uncommon subtypes. Treatment typically involves systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for mild cases, with systemic corticosteroids used for moderate to severe disease. Immunosuppressive agents such as methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, or biologic therapies (e.g., rituximab, infliximab) may be required for refractory or necrotizing scleritis. Management of any associated systemic autoimmune condition is essential. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent complications such as peripheral ulcerative keratitis, uveitis, glaucoma, cataract formation, and permanent vision loss.
- Age of Onset
- Adult
- Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
Source: openFDA + DailyMed · NDA / BLA labels with structured indications · refreshed weekly
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Rare scleritis.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced daily · phases, status, and PI names normalized at ingest
No actively recruiting trials found for Rare scleritis at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →Source: NPI Registry + PubMed · trial PI roles cross-referenced with ClinicalTrials.gov · ranked by match score (publications + PI activity + community signal)
No specialists are currently listed for Rare scleritis.
Treatment Centers
8 centersSource: NORD Rare Disease Centers + NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) · centers verified active within last 12 months
Children's Hospital Colorado Rare Disease Program ↗
Children's Hospital Colorado
📍 Aurora, CO
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDBoston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program ↗
Boston Children's Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🏨 Children'sAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital Genetics ↗
Lurie Children's Hospital
📍 Chicago, IL
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏥 NORDCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ↗
Cincinnati Children's
📍 Cincinnati, OH
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏨 Children'sNationwide Children's Hospital Rare Disease Center ↗
Nationwide Children's Hospital
📍 Columbus, OH
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Rare scleritis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Rare scleritis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Rare scleritis
Source: PubMed + NIH RePORTER + openFDA + clinical-journal RSS · last 30 days · disease-tagged at ingest by AI extraction with human QC
No recent news articles for Rare scleritis.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Common questions about Rare scleritis
What is Rare scleritis?
Rare scleritis is an uncommon inflammatory condition affecting the sclera, the tough white outer coat of the eye. Scleritis involves deep inflammation of the scleral tissue and can be classified as anterior (affecting the front portion of the sclera) or posterior (affecting the back portion). The condition is characterized by severe, boring eye pain that may radiate to the face, jaw, or temple, along with redness of the eye, tenderness, tearing, photophobia, and potential vision loss. In severe or necrotizing forms, scleral thinning can occur, which may threaten the structural integrity of the
At what age does Rare scleritis typically begin?
Typical onset of Rare scleritis is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Frequently asked questions about Rare scleritis
Auto-generated from canonical disease facts (Orphanet, OMIM, ClinicalTrials.gov, openFDA, NPPES). Not a substitute for clinical guidance.
What is Rare scleritis?
Rare scleritis is a rare disease catalogued in international rare-disease ontologies (Orphanet ORPHA:648559). Inheritance pattern depends on the specific subtype. Age of onset is generally adult. For verified primary sources, see the UniteRare Rare scleritis page.
Are there FDA-approved treatments for Rare scleritis?
Approved treatments for Rare scleritis are tracked from openFDA and DailyMed primary sources. Many rare diseases have no specific FDA-approved therapy; for those, supportive care and management of complications form the basis of clinical care. Orphan-drug-designation status is noted where applicable.
Are there clinical trials for Rare scleritis?
Active clinical trials for Rare scleritis are tracked daily from ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial availability changes frequently; check the UniteRare trial listings for the current count and recruitment status. Sponsors of rare-disease research often welcome inquiries even when a trial is not actively recruiting at a given moment.
How do I find a specialist for Rare scleritis?
Verified Rare scleritis specialists are identified through ClinicalTrials.gov principal-investigator records, peer-reviewed publication authorship (via PubMed), and the NPPES NPI registry. NORD-designated Centers of Excellence and NIH-affiliated rare-disease clinics are also tracked. UniteRare's specialist directory is updated continuously as new evidence becomes available.
See full Rare scleritis page for complete clinical details, sources, and verified-specialist listings.
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