Dr Ben Wild
Overview |
The sclera is the white, durable, layer of the eye. Its function is as a strong barrier that holds the contents of the eye. It extends from the cornea at the front of the eye to the optic nerve at the back of the eye. It also acts as an attachment scaffold for the muscles of the eye (extraocular muscles).
Frontal view of a healthy eye.
Scleral hyaline plaque and senile scleromalacia refer to the thinning of the sclera around where the eye muscles attach to the eye. This is a normal finding that becomes more common with age. Scleral hyaline plaques slowly progress over time whereas senile scleromalacia often sudden occurs. Both of these findings are purely cosmetic and do not affect the eye.
Front view of an eye with scleral hyaline plaque/senile scleromalacia.
Signs and Symptoms |
Signs
Brown/blue, oval, sharply demarcated areas of thinning of the sclera.
Symptoms
No symptoms.
Causes and Risk Factors |
Causes
Tensile pulling forces on the sclera by the extraocular muscles.
Risk factors
Age.
Prevention and Treatment |
Prevention
There are no known preventative measures.
Treatments
No treatment required.
Prognosis |
Any concerns about scleral hyaline plaque/senile scleromalacia are purely cosmetic. They do not lead to perforation of the eye or affect vision in any way.
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