In episcleritis evaluation, which two tests are performed?

In episcleritis evaluation, which two tests are performed?

• A. 2.5% Phenylephrine blanching and NaFl staining
• B. Visual acuity and color vision
• C. Intraocular pressure and tonometry
• D. Dilated fundus exam and OCT

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to quickly distinguish episcleritis from deeper scleral inflammation and to check the ocular surface for any corneal involvement. Using topical phenylephrine 2.5% causes vasoconstriction of the superficial episcleral vessels; if the redness blanches, it points toward episcleritis because the affected vessels are in the superficial layers that respond to vasoconstriction. If the redness does not blanch, deeper scleral inflammation (scleritis) is more likely. Fluorescein staining is then used to evaluate the corneal surface for epithelial defects or keratitis and to document any corneal involvement; this helps rule out other causes of red eye and ensures a comprehensive surface assessment. Other tests like visual acuity and color vision, intraocular pressure with tonometry, or dilated fundus exam with OCT target different parts of the eye or broader functional assessment and are not specific to distinguishing episcleritis in the same way.

The main idea is to quickly distinguish episcleritis from deeper scleral inflammation and to check the ocular surface for any corneal involvement. Using topical phenylephrine 2.5% causes vasoconstriction of the superficial episcleral vessels; if the redness blanches, it points toward episcleritis because the affected vessels are in the superficial layers that respond to vasoconstriction. If the redness does not blanch, deeper scleral inflammation (scleritis) is more likely. Fluorescein staining is then used to evaluate the corneal surface for epithelial defects or keratitis and to document any corneal involvement; this helps rule out other causes of red eye and ensures a comprehensive surface assessment. Other tests like visual acuity and color vision, intraocular pressure with tonometry, or dilated fundus exam with OCT target different parts of the eye or broader functional assessment and are not specific to distinguishing episcleritis in the same way.