Korean medicine treatment of diffuse scleratis following pterygium removal : a case report

Min-Cheol Park; Eun-Heui Jo; Park, Min-Cheol; Jo, Eun-Heui

doi:10.13048/jkm.25041

JKM > Volume 46(3); 2025 > Article

Park and Jo: Korean medicine treatment of diffuse scleratis following pterygium removal: a case report

Case Report

The Journal of Korean Medicine 2025; 46(3): 161-167.

Published online: September 1, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.25041

Korean medicine treatment of diffuse scleratis following pterygium removal: a case report

Min-Cheol Park¹^{, 3}

, Eun-Heui Jo²^{, 3}^{, *}

¹Department of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Dermatology, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital

²Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital

³Research Center of Traditional Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University

Correspondence to: Eun-Heui Jo, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Wonkwang University Korean Medicine Hospital, 99, Garyeonsan-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, 54887, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-63-270-1022, Fax: +82-63-270-1199, E-mail: freezo@wonkwang.ac.kr

Received June 17, 2025 Revised July 16, 2025 Accepted August 12, 2025

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to report a case of diffuse scleritis improved by Korean medicine treatment.

Methods

The patient was diagnosed with diffuse scleratis following pterygium removal surgery. Considering the patient’s condition and symptoms, oral administration of Chijabyeokpi-tang and acupuncture therapy to reduce small intestine meridian heat were performed. We retrospectively analyzed changes in each observation item according to clinical progress recorded in the electronic medical record system.

Results

As a result of the treatment, congestion and severe pain in the right eye, headache, excessive tear secretion, swelling and redness around both eyes, and systemic itching after taking analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs all improved and were remitted after 73 days.

Conclusion

In cases of diffuse scleratis that does not respond well to conventional treatment, Korean medicine treatment including oral administration of Chijabyeokpi-tang and acupuncture therapy to reduce small intestine meridian heat may be another treatment intervention.

Keywords: Case Report, diffuse Scleritis, Chijabyeokpi-tang, acupuncture

Fig. 1

Timeline of clinical progress

Fig. 2

Clinical progress of diffuse scleratis

Table 1

Composition and daily dosage of Chijabyukpi-tang

Name of natural medicine (herbal medicine)	Weight(g)
Gardeniae Fructus (梔子)	6
Phellodendri Cortex (黃柏)	6
Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草)	3
Total Amount	15

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