Superficial episcleral hyperemia

What it means

Prominence of blood vessels of the superficial episcleral tissues.

The episclera is a fibroelastic structure with two loosely joined layers. The superficial layer contains vessels of the superficial episcleral capillary plexus that appear straight and are arranged in a radial fashion. The deeper layer contains a highly anastomotic network of blood vessels. The episclera and sclera have a separate blood supply from that of the conjunctiva. Conjunctival hyperemia can be distinguished from episceral hyperemia because conjunctival hyperemia is characterized by finer, less tortuous vessels but deeper episcleral hyperemia maybe violaceous. The conjunctival vessels but not the deeper vessels can be moved by massaging with a cotton swab.

Rare diseases that can present with this1

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Superficial episcleral hypaeremia