Herpes Simplex Keratitis
Also known as Eye Herpes, Herpetic Keratitis, Herpes Keratitis, Dendritic Corneal Ulcer, Herpes Simplex Eye Infection
Bottom Line
Herpes simplex keratitis is a herpes virus infection in the cornea. It can come back, and steroid drops can make some attacks worse if used without antiviral medicine.
Herpes simplex keratitis affects the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. It can cause pain, redness, tearing, light sensitivity, and blurry vision 1.
The classic surface pattern is a branching sore called a dendrite. Antiviral medicine helps surface herpes keratitis heal and lowers the chance that infection worsens 2.
Some attacks involve deeper cornea inflammation. Long-term antiviral pills can lower repeat epithelial and stromal herpes keratitis in selected patients 3.
Symptoms
Symptoms often affect one eye.
- Pain or gritty feeling. The cornea has many nerves.
- Redness and tearing. The eye may water a lot.
- Light sensitivity. Bright light can hurt.
- Blurred vision. This can come from swelling, sores, or scarring.
- Reduced cornea feeling. Repeat herpes can make the cornea less sensitive.
Doctors often look for a dendritic corneal ulcer with dye and a slit lamp microscope 1.
Treatment
Treatment depends on which cornea layer is involved.
- Surface disease. Antiviral drops, gel, or pills may be used.
- Deeper inflammation. Steroid drops may be used only with antiviral cover and close eye care.
- Repeat attacks. Some patients use daily antiviral pills to lower recurrence risk.
- Severe scarring. A cornea specialist may discuss transplant if vision stays poor.
Clinical trials support antiviral treatment for herpes simplex virus epithelial keratitis 2.
Prevention and Safety
You cannot remove herpes simplex virus from the body once it is dormant. But you can lower eye risk.
- Do not use leftover steroid eye drops for a red eye.
- Call early when a familiar one-eye flare starts.
- Tell surgeons about past eye herpes before eye surgery.
- Ask about preventive antiviral pills if flares are frequent.
- Wash hands and avoid touching cold sores, then the eye.
Common Questions About Herpes Simplex Keratitis
Next Steps
- 1Call an eye doctor today for a painful one-eye red eye.
- 2Stop contact lenses until the cornea is checked.
- 3Do not use leftover steroid drops for a red eye.
- 4Tell your doctor about cold sores, past eye herpes, and immune problems.
- 5Seek emergency care for chemical splash, injury, newborn red eye, or sudden vision loss.
Find specialists for Herpes Simplex Keratitis
Board-certified ophthalmologists who treat Herpes Simplex Keratitis.
Also relevant