Abstract

Study design: Retrospective case-series
Purpose: SLC and anterior scleritis (AS) are largely different, with SLC having a predominantly tubercular etiology, and AS an autoimmune background. Their sequential occurrence in the same eye has not been reported.
Methods: 7 patients (11 eyes). All received ATT for SLC.
Results: AS developed ‘after’ SLC in 6 patients (within 5 months-17 years), and ‘with’ SLC in 1 patient. Mean age was 33.86 ± 14.02 years. 9 eyes had ‘placoid’ and 2 eyes (1 patient) ‘multifocal’ SLC lesions. SLC lesions were ‘juxtapapillary’ in 9 eyes, involving macula in all.
Conclusion: Considering the contiguous involvement of optic disc, retinochoroid and sclera in sequential pattern, it needs to be explored by histopathological or molecular methods whether the dormant MTB remains harbored within the RPE or sclera in between the episodes of choroiditis and scleritis. It may suggest MTB sequestration within the eye, rather than an immune-mediated hypersensitivity reaction.