The sclera is the white, opaque outer coat that forms about the back five-sixths of the eyeball. It is made of dense, irregularly arranged collagen, which gives the eye its shape and resists the pull of the extraocular muscles. At the back it is pierced by the optic nerve through a sieve-like area called the lamina cribrosa.
| Location | Outer coat of the eyeball, continuous with the cornea at the limbus and with the optic nerve sheath behind |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Short and long ciliary nerves |
| Blood Supply | Short and long posterior ciliary arteries; Anterior ciliary arteries (episcleral) |
Protects the inner contents of the eye and keeps its shape stable against intraocular pressure. It also provides attachment for the extraocular muscles.
The sclera is thinnest just behind the insertions of the rectus muscles, which is where it tends to rupture after blunt trauma. Scleritis is deep, boring pain with a violet-red eye and is often linked to systemic autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. A yellow sclera is a visible sign of jaundice, and a blue tint can occur in osteogenesis imperfecta.
Inflammation of the sclera causing severe eye pain and redness that does not blanch with phenylephrine drops. It is frequently associated with rheumatoid arthritis or vasculitis and can thin the sclera.
A tear in the sclera from blunt trauma, usually near the limbus or behind the muscle insertions. Signs include a soft eye, deep anterior chamber and a distorted pupil.
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