Technical Term for Red Sclera
The technical term for a red sclera is hyperemia (or hyperaemia), which describes the engorgement of scleral blood vessels causing the characteristic red appearance 1.
Clinical Context and Terminology
Hyperemia specifically refers to the increased blood flow and vascular engorgement that produces the red coloration of the sclera, which is the white outer coat of the eye 1. This term is used in clinical ophthalmology to describe the appearance of dilated and congested blood vessels in the scleral and conjunctival tissues.
Related Clinical Conditions
When hyperemia occurs in the context of specific disease processes, additional terminology may apply:
Scleritis: Chronic inflammation involving the sclera itself, characterized by severe pain and deep scleral vessel engorgement, often associated with systemic autoimmune conditions 2
Conjunctival hyperemia: When the redness primarily involves the conjunctival mucosa overlying the sclera rather than the sclera proper 1
Episcleritis: Inflammation of the episcleral tissue layer, causing localized or diffuse redness that is typically less severe than scleritis 2
Clinical Significance
The degree and pattern of scleral hyperemia provides diagnostic information:
- Diffuse hyperemia suggests inflammatory or infectious conjunctivitis 1
- Sectoral hyperemia may indicate episcleritis or localized inflammation 2
- Deep scleral vessel engorgement with a violaceous hue suggests true scleritis, which can be vision-threatening and requires aggressive systemic therapy 2
Scleral redness should prompt evaluation for underlying inflammatory, infectious, or systemic disease, particularly when accompanied by pain, vision changes, or systemic symptoms 2.