What is herpes eye disease. How does it affect different parts of the eye. What are the primary causes and risk factors for herpes eye disease. What symptoms should you watch out for. How is herpes eye disease diagnosed and treated.

Understanding Herpes Eye Disease: An Overview

Herpes eye disease is a group of eye disorders caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This condition can affect various parts of the eye, including the eyelids, cornea, conjunctiva, retina, sclera, and iris. It’s a significant cause of blindness worldwide, making it crucial to understand its nature, causes, and treatment options.

The herpes simplex virus is prevalent among adults and children, with many infected individuals experiencing no symptoms or only minor ones, such as occasional cold sores around the mouth. However, when the virus becomes active, it can lead to herpes eye disease symptoms, potentially causing eye damage and vision loss.

The Culprit Behind Herpes Eye Disease: HSV1

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) is the primary cause of herpes eye disease. While HSV type 2 can cause genital herpes infections, it rarely affects the eyes. Once HSV enters the body, it remains there for life, often in a dormant state. However, it can reactivate at any time, potentially affecting the nerves connected to the eye and triggering herpes eye disease symptoms.

Interestingly, most experts believe that herpes eye disease symptoms result from the virus reactivating in the body rather than from direct infection or new contact with the herpes virus. The reasons why HSV1 infection causes symptoms in some individuals but not in others remain unclear, though certain forms of HSV1 may be more likely to cause herpes eye disease. Genetic variations and immune system issues may also play a role in susceptibility.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Herpes Eye Disease

Identifying the symptoms of herpes eye disease is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. Common symptoms include:

• Eye redness and pain
• Excessive tearing
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Headache
• Foreign body sensation in the eye
• Rash with blisters on the eyelids
• Painful sores on the eyelid or eye surface
• Reduced vision accompanied by eye pain or redness

It’s important to note that repeated flare-ups of herpes eye disease can lead to permanent corneal scarring, potentially resulting in vision loss or blindness. While some individuals may experience only one flare-up, recurrent episodes are common.

Risk Factors for Herpes Eye Disease Flare-ups

Several factors may increase the likelihood of virus reactivation and symptom occurrence:

• Illness or fever
• Physical or emotional stress
• Excessive exposure to heat or sunlight
• Eye injury
• Menstruation
• General injury
• Reactions to certain foods or medications

HSV1 infection can also manifest in other ways, such as cold sores on the lips, which may occur alongside or independently of eye symptoms.

Diagnosing Herpes Eye Disease: The Role of Eye Care Professionals

Proper diagnosis of herpes eye disease is typically performed by an eye care provider, often an ophthalmologist. The diagnostic process involves a comprehensive health history review and a thorough eye examination. One of the key tools used in diagnosis is the slit lamp microscope, which allows for detailed observation of the eye’s structures.

During the examination, the eye care professional will look for characteristic signs of herpes eye disease, such as dendritic ulcers on the cornea, which have a distinctive branching pattern. They may also use special dyes to highlight any damage to the eye’s surface.

Additional Diagnostic Techniques

In some cases, further tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions. These may include:

• Viral culture: A sample from the affected area is taken to test for the presence of the herpes virus.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test: This highly sensitive test can detect even small amounts of viral DNA.
• Blood tests: These can check for antibodies to the herpes simplex virus, indicating past or present infection.
• Corneal sensitivity testing: This helps assess any nerve damage caused by the virus.

Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management of herpes eye disease and prevention of potential complications.

Treatment Approaches for Herpes Eye Disease

The treatment of herpes eye disease aims to control the viral infection, reduce inflammation, and prevent complications. The specific treatment plan depends on the severity and location of the infection within the eye.

Antiviral Medications

Antiviral drugs are the cornerstone of herpes eye disease treatment. These medications work by inhibiting viral replication, thereby reducing the severity and duration of symptoms. Common antiviral medications used include:

• Acyclovir
• Valacyclovir
• Famciclovir

These drugs may be administered in various forms, including oral tablets, topical ointments, or intravenous injections for severe cases. The choice of administration route depends on the extent and location of the infection.

Corticosteroids

In some cases, corticosteroid eye drops may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms. However, these must be used with caution and under close medical supervision, as they can potentially worsen the viral infection if used inappropriately.

Supportive Therapies

Additional treatments may be recommended to manage symptoms and promote healing:

• Lubricating eye drops to soothe irritation and prevent dry eye
• Pain relievers to manage discomfort
• Cool compresses to reduce swelling and provide relief
• Protective eyewear to shield the eyes from bright light

In severe cases or those involving corneal scarring, surgical interventions such as corneal transplantation may be necessary to restore vision.

Long-term Management and Prevention of Recurrences

Managing herpes eye disease often extends beyond treating acute episodes. Long-term strategies are essential to prevent recurrences and minimize the risk of complications. Key aspects of long-term management include:

Suppressive Therapy

For individuals experiencing frequent recurrences, long-term suppressive antiviral therapy may be recommended. This involves taking a low dose of antiviral medication daily to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks.

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of herpes eye disease flare-ups:

• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or counseling
• Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine to support immune function
• Getting adequate sleep to promote overall health and reduce stress
• Avoiding triggers such as excessive sun exposure or extreme temperatures

Regular Eye Examinations

Periodic check-ups with an eye care professional are crucial for monitoring the condition and detecting any signs of recurrence or complications early. The frequency of these examinations will depend on the individual’s history and risk factors.

Complications and Long-term Outlook of Herpes Eye Disease

While many cases of herpes eye disease can be effectively managed, the condition can lead to serious complications if left untreated or if recurrences are frequent. Potential complications include:

• Corneal scarring, which can cause permanent vision impairment
• Corneal thinning or perforation in severe cases
• Glaucoma, due to inflammation and increased eye pressure
• Retinal detachment, particularly in cases where the infection spreads to the retina

The long-term outlook for individuals with herpes eye disease varies depending on several factors, including the frequency and severity of recurrences, the extent of eye damage, and the timeliness of treatment. With proper management and regular medical care, many people with herpes eye disease can maintain good vision and quality of life.

Ongoing Research and Future Treatments

Research into herpes eye disease continues to advance our understanding of the condition and potential treatment options. Areas of ongoing investigation include:

• Development of new antiviral medications with improved efficacy and fewer side effects
• Exploration of gene therapy approaches to prevent viral reactivation
• Investigation of immune-modulating therapies to enhance the body’s natural defenses against the virus
• Advances in corneal transplantation techniques for cases with severe corneal damage

These ongoing efforts offer hope for improved management and outcomes for individuals affected by herpes eye disease in the future.

Living with Herpes Eye Disease: Coping Strategies and Support

Dealing with herpes eye disease can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Developing effective coping strategies and seeking support can significantly improve quality of life for those affected by this condition.

Education and Self-Management

Understanding the nature of herpes eye disease and its triggers is crucial for effective self-management. Patients should be encouraged to:

• Learn about their condition and treatment options
• Keep a symptom diary to identify potential triggers
• Develop a personalized action plan with their healthcare provider for managing flare-ups
• Stay informed about new developments in herpes eye disease research and treatment

Emotional Support

The psychological impact of living with a chronic eye condition should not be underestimated. Support mechanisms can include:

• Joining support groups or online communities for individuals with herpes eye disease
• Seeking counseling or therapy to address anxiety or depression related to the condition
• Communicating openly with family and friends about the challenges of living with herpes eye disease

Adaptive Strategies

For those experiencing vision impairment due to herpes eye disease, various adaptive strategies and assistive technologies can help maintain independence and quality of life:

• Using magnifying devices or large-print materials
• Employing voice-to-text software for reading and writing tasks
• Modifying the home environment to enhance safety and accessibility
• Exploring vocational rehabilitation services if vision impairment affects work capabilities

By combining medical treatment with comprehensive self-management and support strategies, individuals with herpes eye disease can effectively navigate the challenges posed by this condition and maintain a fulfilling life.

Herpes Eye Disease | Cedars-Sinai

ABOUT

CAUSES
DIAGNOSIS

TREATMENT

NEXT STEPS

What is herpes eye disease?

Herpes eye disease is a group of
eye disorders caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Herpes eye disease can affect many
different parts of your eye. This includes your eyelids. Sometimes it affects the
clear
layer that covers the front of your eye (cornea). It can also affect the thin layer
covering the inside of your eyelids and the white part of your eye (conjunctiva).
Less
often, the virus can damage your retina. This is the sensitive layer that lines the
inner wall in the back part of your eye. Herpes eye disease can also affect the white
part of your eye (sclera) or the colored part of your eye (iris). It is a major cause
of
blindness worldwide.

Herpes simplex virus is common. It
generally infects a majority of adults and a slightly smaller percentage of children.
Many people infected with the virus have no symptoms. Or they may have minor symptoms.
These include getting cold sores now and then around the mouth. If the virus multiplies
and becomes active, herpes eye disease symptoms may occur. These include eye redness,
tearing, and even vision loss. These affected areas can become damaged.

What causes herpes eye disease?

Most of the time, infection with
HSV type 1 (HSV1) causes herpes eye disease. HSV type 2 rarely causes eye symptoms.
But
it can cause genital herpes infections.

If you have herpes eye disease, HSV
infected you at some point. But you likely did not have any symptoms when you were
infected. Once the herpes virus is in your body, it stays there for life. It is often
not active (dormant). But it can become active (reactivate) at any time.

Sometimes the virus will reactivate
and start causing symptoms. This will often affect a certain set of nerves. Nerves
to
your eye may be affected. Then eye damage and herpes eye disease symptoms are likely.
Most experts think herpes eye disease symptoms come from the virus reactivating in
your
body. They don’t think it comes from the direct infection, or from new contact with
the
herpes virus.

Experts are still not sure why HSV1
infection causes symptoms in some people but not in others. Some forms of HSV1 may
cause
herpes eye disease in a greater percentage of people. Variations in genes may also
play
a role. Having a problem with your immune system may raise your risk of getting herpes
eye disease.

What are the symptoms of herpes eye disease?

Some possible symptoms include:

• Eye redness
• Eye pain
• Tearing
• More sensitivity to light
• Headache
• Feeling that something is in the
  eye
• Rash with blisters on the eyelids
• Painful sore on eyelid or eye surface
• Reduced vision linked to eye pain or
  eye redness

Repeated flare ups of herpes eye
disease can scar your cornea over time. This scarring may be lifelong (permanent).
This
can lead to vision loss and sometimes blindness.

You may have only one flare up of
the virus. But sometimes the virus reactivates and starts causing symptoms again.
This
is common. Risk factors that may increase your chances that the virus will flare up
may
include:

• Illness
• Fever
• Physical or emotional stress
• Too much exposure to heat or
  sunlight
• Eye injury
• Menstruation
• Injury
• A reaction to foods or medicines

Infection with HSV1 can also cause
other symptoms outside your eye. This includes cold sores on your lips.

How is herpes eye disease diagnosed?

Your eye care provider (often an
ophthalmologist) makes the diagnosis. This is done with a health history and a full
eye
exam. They may check your eye with a slit lamp microscope. This magnifies the surface
and inside of your eye. Your provider will also likely place a dye on the surface
of
your eye. This lets them more closely examine your cornea.

Often you will not need any other
testing. In rare cases, your provider might send a tiny bit of eye tissue to the lab
to
see if the virus is there.

How is herpes eye disease treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It
will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Possible treatments include:

• Antiviral medicines taken by mouth
• Antiviral ointment for your
  eyelids
• Antibiotic ointment for your eyelids
  (to prevent further infection by bacteria)
• Antiviral drops for your eyes
• Antibiotic drops for your eyes (to
  prevent further infection by bacteria)
• Steroid drops for your eyes (to reduce
  inflammation)

Most of these treatments are fairly
short-term. You may also need to take antiviral medicine by mouth (orally) on a
long-term basis. This is to help prevent future flare ups.

Some complications of herpes eye
disease may need their own specific treatment.

What are possible complications of herpes eye disease?

Herpes eye disease can cause
serious complications. A flare up can make your eye more likely to get other eye
infections. This is why your eye care provider might treat you with antibiotics.

Sometimes this disease leaves
lasting scars on your cornea. The cornea is often clear. But scarring makes it more
cloudy (opaque). This can cause vision loss. If this is serious, you may need a corneal
transplant (from a donor who has died) to restore your vision.

Herpes eye disease can also raise
the pressure in your eye. You might need special eye drops. In rare cases, it can
also
cause infection of your brain and tissues around your brain. An antiviral medicine
given
through an intravenous (IV) line may be needed. Infection in newborns is often
life-threatening. It can involve the brain and other organs.

Can herpes eye disease be prevented?

There is not much you can do to
prevent infection with HSV1. Your eye care provider may put you on a medicine to reduce
your chance of having the virus reactivate. Staying away from too much sunshine and
stress may also reduce your chances of reactivation.

See your eye care provider at the
first sign of symptoms. This can help reduce your chance of more complications.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if
you think your herpes eye disease is active again. It is even more important to call
right away if you have sudden and severe symptoms. These include severe eye pain,
blurred vision, or eye discharge. You may need to see your eye care provider that
same
day.

Key points about herpes eye disease

• Herpes eye disease is a group of eye disorders caused by
  infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
• Infection with HSV is very common. But
  most people infected with HSV don’t get herpes eye disease.
• It can affect many different parts of
  your eye.
• You might have only one episode of
  symptoms. Or symptoms may come back now and then as the virus reactivates.
• You might need to take antiviral and
  steroid medicines to treat an outbreak of the disease.
• It can sometimes cause serious
  problems. These include lasting scarring of your cornea and vision loss.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells
  you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a
  new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new
  instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment
  is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that
  visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Medical Reviewer: Chris Haupert MD

Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN

Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN

© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

Eye Herpes: Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Eye herpes, or ocular herpes, is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Your treatment will depend on the severity of the infection and what part of the eye it affects.

The most common type of herpetic eye infection is called epithelial keratitis. It affects the cornea, which is the clear front portion of your eye.

In its mild form, eye herpes causes:

• pain
• inflammation
• redness
• excessive tearing of the cornea surface

HSV of the deeper layers of the cornea — known as the cornea stroma — can cause severe tissue damage, chronic inflammation, and scarring, all of which can contribute to vision loss.

In fact, eye herpes is the most common cause of blindness associated with cornea damage in the United States and the most common source of contagious blindness in the Western world.

Both mild and severe eye herpes can be treated with antiviral medication, however.

And with prompt treatment, HSV can be kept under control and damage to the cornea minimized.

Typical symptoms of eye herpes include:

• eye pain
• sensitivity to light
• blurry vision
• tearing
• mucus discharge
• red eye
• inflamed eyelids (blepharitis)
• painful, red blistering rash on upper eyelid and one side of forehead

In many cases, herpes affects only one eye.

Eye herpes vs. conjunctivitis

You may mistake eye herpes for conjunctivitis, which is known more commonly as pink eye. Both conditions may be caused by a virus, though conjunctivitis can also be caused by:

• allergies
• bacteria
• chemicals

An experienced eye doctor can establish the correct diagnosis by collecting a thorough medical history and by performing a detailed eye examination. Careful slit lamp biomicroscopy with the use of a topical inert dye will unveil active herpetic lesions.

A sterile cotton swab can be used to collect a sample for laboratory culture. If you have ocular herpes, the culture will test positive for type 1 HSV (HSV-1). Receiving a prompt, correct diagnosis can help you receive the appropriate treatment.

The most common type of ocular herpes is epithelial keratitis. In this type, the virus is active in the thin outermost layer of cells covering the cornea, known as the corneal epithelium.

As mentioned, HSV can also affect deeper layers of the cornea, known as the stroma. This type of eye herpes is known as stromal keratitis.

Stromal keratitis is more serious than epithelial keratitis because over time and repeated outbreaks, it can damage your cornea enough to require corneal transplantation.

Eye herpes is caused by an HSV transmission to the eyes and eyelids. It’s estimated that up to 90 percent of adults have been exposed to HSV-1 by age 50.

When it comes to eye herpes, HSV-1 affects these parts of the eye:

• eyelids
• cornea (the clear dome on the front of your eye)
• retina (the light-sensing sheet of cells in the back of your eye)
• conjunctiva (the thin sheet of tissue covering the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids)

Unlike genital herpes (usually associated with HSV-2), most cases of ocular herpes aren’t sexually transmitted.

Rather, it most commonly happens after another body part — typically your mouth, in the form of cold sores — has already been affected by HSV in the past.

Once you’re living with HSV, it can’t be completely eradicated from your body. The virus can lie dormant for a while, then reactivate from time to time. This means that even though the initial ocular herpes infection resolved with treatment, it can still recur over time due to viral reactivation.

The risk of transmitting the virus to another person from an affected eye is low, however. Antiviral medications help reduce transmission of HSV during an outbreak.

Estimates vary, but approximately 24,000 new cases of eye herpes are diagnosed every year in the United States, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Eye herpes tends to be slightly more common in men than in women.

If you have symptoms of eye herpes, see an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. These are both doctors who specialize in eye health. Early treatment may improve your outlook.

To diagnose eye herpes, your doctor will ask you detailed questions about your symptoms, including when they started and whether you’ve experienced similar symptoms in the past.

Your doctor will do a thorough eye exam to evaluate your vision, sensitivity to light, and eye movements.

They’ll put eye drops in your eyes to dilate (widen) the iris, too. That helps your doctor see the condition of the retina in the back of your eye.

Your doctor may perform a fluorescein eye stain test. During the test, your doctor will instill an inert orange dye, called fluorescein, onto the outer surface of your eye.

With the use of safe, near-ultraviolet light fluorescein highlights areas of the cornea where the epithelium is unhealthy or absent. These defects produce a familiar stellate pattern on the cornea called a ‘dendrite’ that can be viewed with the slit-lamp biomicroscope.

Your doctor may take a sample of cells from your eye surface to check for HSV if the diagnosis is unclear. A blood test to check for antibodies from past exposure to HSV isn’t very helpful for diagnosis because most people have been exposed to HSV at some point in life.

If your doctor determines you have eye herpes, you’ll immediately start taking prescription antiviral medication.

The treatment differs somewhat depending on whether you have epithelial keratitis (the milder form) or stromal keratitis (the more damaging form).

Epithelial keratitis treatment

HSV in the surface layer of the cornea usually subsides on its own within a few weeks.

If you promptly take antiviral medication, it can help minimize cornea damage and vision loss. Your doctor will recommend antiviral eye drops or ointment or oral antiviral drugs.

A common treatment is the oral medication acyclovir (Zovirax). Acyclovir may be a good treatment option because it doesn’t come with some of the potential side effects of the eye drops, such as watery eyes or itching.

Your doctor may also gently brush the surface of your cornea with a cotton swab after applying numbing drops to remove diseased cells. This procedure is known as debridement.

Stromal keratitis treatment

This type of HSV attacks the deeper middle layers of the cornea, called the stroma. Stromal keratitis is more likely to result in corneal scarring and loss of vision.

In addition to antiviral therapy, taking steroid (anti-inflammatory) eye drops helps reduce swelling in the stroma.

If you’re treating your eye herpes with eye drops, you may need to put them in as often as every 2 hours, depending on the medication your doctor prescribes. You’ll need to keep applying the drops for up to 2 weeks.

With oral acyclovir, you’ll take the pills five times per day.

You should see improvement in 2 to 5 days. The symptoms should be gone within 2 to 3 weeks.

After a first bout of eye herpes, about 20 percent of people will have an additional outbreak in the following year. After multiple recurrences, your doctor may recommend taking antiviral medication daily.

This is because multiple outbreaks damage your cornea. Complications include:

• non-healing sores (ulcers)
• numbing of the corneal surface
• increased susceptibility to other infections
• chronic inflammation and eye discomfort
• perforation of the cornea

If the cornea is damaged enough to cause significant vision loss, you may need a corneal transplant (keratoplasty).

Unfortunately, for some individuals, ocular herpes is not curable, but you can still minimize potential damage to your eyesight during outbreaks.

At the first sign of symptoms, call your doctor. The sooner you treat your eye herpes, the less chance there’ll be significant damage to your cornea.

Herpetic keratitis: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Herpetic keratitis is a disease of a viral nature that develops as a result of the herpes simplex virus entering the cornea, subject to a decrease in local immune defense.

The provoking factors of the disease are:

• influenza and a group of colds,
• corneal trauma,
• hypothermia,
• too much exposure to the sun,
• odontogenic infections,
• allergic reactions,
• corticosteroid treatment,
• a complex of the listed factors.

Symptoms of herpetic keratitis:

• redness of the eye,
• lacrimation,
• severe pain syndrome.

Also, the patient may notice a change in visual acuity.

Diagnostic methods:

• Clinical diagnostics is based on questioning the patient, examination with a slit lamp.
• Laboratory diagnostics involves the use of the immunofluorescence method.

Bullous painful keratopathy is a degenerative disease of the cornea that occurs due to the loss of the surface epithelial layer that performs a protective function.

The disease is characterized by the development of corneal changes:

• edema,
• cloudiness,
• vesicle formation (the name of the disease comes from the Greek bulla – vesicle).

Clinical manifestations of the disease:

• blurred vision,
• sharp pains,
• lacrimation and photophobia.

The following types of disease are distinguished:

• congenital,
• purchased (secondary).

Acquired endothelial-epithelial dystrophy often develops as a result of traumatic surgical interventions on the eyeball.

Diagnosis:

• slit lamp examination,
• Mirror microscopy of the corneal endothelium.

Treatment of the disease:

• conservative – anti-inflammatory and analgesic drops, gels,
• surgical – penetrating corneal transplantation using cryopexy of defective endothelial tissue, as well as layer-by-layer keratoplasty.

Recurrent corneal erosion is a disease caused by a herpes infection in the eye.

The provoking factor is often trauma (getting into the eye of a branch, paper, dust). The disease proceeds with periods of painful relapses, which are replaced by remissions.

The disease often develops in women against the background of immunodeficiency, which was caused by previous hormone therapy (artificial insemination, infertility treatment, etc.)

Characteristic symptoms:

• pains, predominantly nocturnal and morning,
• redness of the eyes,
• lacrimation and photophobia.

Basic principles of treatment:

• antiviral drugs (Acyclovir, Poludan),
• means for stimulating regeneration (“Solcoseryl”).

The method of anti-herpes vaccination is also used.

Surgical treatment:

• layered and penetrating keratoplasty,
• microdiathermocoagulation,
• autocytokine therapy (intracameral, external).

A combination of surgical treatment in combination with anti-herpes vaccination has a good effect.

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What is ocular herpes and why is it dangerous?

Herpes is a common viral infection characterized by the appearance of a specific rash. It affects the skin and mucous membranes, including the eyes. When a person develops herpes, keratitis develops on the cornea. Consider the causes of its occurrence and methods of treatment.

This disease affects both adults and children. The virus enters the body through microdamages of the skin, and then penetrates to the nerve nodes and remains there in a latent state. Certain circumstances may be the impetus for its development.

Causes of herpes

There are several factors that can provoke the development of herpes infection in the body:

• reduced immunity;
• course of treatment with corticosteroids;
• long-term hypothermia;
• eye injury.

Any of these circumstances can cause the virus to become active, so the disease will begin to develop. With ocular herpes, the focus of infection is located in the epithelium of the cornea. When it begins to develop and gets outside, it affects neighboring cells, thereby destroying eye tissue. Herpes is a common infection in young children who still have poor personal hygiene.

Symptoms of ophthalmic herpes

The manifestations of ocular herpes can be confused externally with signs of an allergic reaction or some kind of infection. There is a noticeable redness around the eyes, tears flow profusely, grouped bubbles pour out on the skin of the face. It seems to the patient that some specks are stuck under the eyelids, causing itching, and he constantly scratches them. Bright light is annoying. With damage to the retina, double vision, flashes, blurred vision at dusk or low light, and blepharospasm can be noted. If the optic nerve is affected, then pain occurs when the eyeballs move, in the frontal part of the head, fever, nausea may appear. When these symptoms appear, you do not need to make a diagnosis yourself. The specialist will determine the true cause of the disease and prescribe treatment.

Treatment of herpes

The duration of therapy depends on the degree and severity of damage to the eye tissues. With a mild form of ophthalmoherpes, the doctor may prescribe local antiviral ointments, for example, Acyclovir or Fenistil-Pencivir, which should be applied only to the skin of the eyelids.