Which autoimmune disease is most classically associated with anterior scleritis?

• A. Wegener's granulomatosis
• B. Sjögren's syndrome
• C. SLE
• D. Rheumatoid arthritis

Answer: (D)

Anterior scleritis is a painful, deep scleral inflammatory process that often signals an underlying autoimmune condition. Among autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis has the strongest and most classic association with scleritis, reflecting shared immune-mediated inflammation that can involve ocular tissues as part of the systemic disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, scleral inflammation can accompany joint symptoms and may require systemic immunosuppression in addition to local eye care. Other listed conditions can involve the eye, but their association with anterior scleritis is less characteristic than that of rheumatoid arthritis.