Ocular herpes is an eye infection caused by the herpes simplex virus 1, which can cause scarring of the cornea and inflammation of the eye. Treatment varies depending on the location of the infection, and there is no cure, but treatment can help reduce outbreaks and symptoms.
Ocular herpes, also known as ocular herpes, is an eye infection caused by the herpes simplex virus 1. This particular simplex also causes cold sores on the lips and mouth. The virus causes scarring of the cornea and inflammation of the eye, sometimes referred to as cold eye sore.
The most common form of ocular herpes causes a corneal infection, known as herpes simplex keratitis. Only the top layer of the cornea is affected by herpes simplex keratitis, and healing usually occurs without scarring. However, there are other more serious types of ocular herpes, including stromal keratitis and iridocyclitis.
Stromal keratitis is the result of a deep corneal infection, which moves beyond the outer layers of the cornea, resulting in scarring, vision loss, or even blindness. Although this form of ocular herpes is rare, it is the most common cause of corneal scarring leading to blindness in the United States, according to the National Eye Institute.
Iridocyclitis is the most serious type of ocular herpes, causing inflammation of the iris and surrounding tissue. Severe sensitivity to light, eye pain, redness, and blurred vision are common symptoms. Iridocyclitis is a form of uveitis, or inflammation of the eye’s uvea, that affects the deeper layers of the eye.
All forms of ocular herpes are transmitted through direct contact with the virus, from another person having an outbreak, or by self-contamination. Touching a cold sore to your lips or mouth and then touching your eyes can cause an eye herpes infection. Once the infection has entered the bloodstream, it can lie dormant for years before an outbreak occurs, making it difficult to determine when and how you become infected.
Once an initial outbreak of ocular herpes occurs, it has a 50% chance of reoccurring. This could happen within weeks or it could be several years before another outbreak. Symptoms usually occur in one eye at a time, but in some cases both eyes can be affected at the same time.
Treatment of eye herpes varies depending on the location of the infection in the eye. Treatment is determined on an individual basis, as some options could further aggravate the condition. Antiviral drugs, physical removal of infected cells, steroids, and surgery are common treatment options.
For superficial infections, eye drops or ointments are usually given, and oral medications are sometimes used. A doctor can also remove infected cells from the cornea through a process known as debridement. A corneal spatula is used to gently scrape off the infection, then a soft contact lens is placed over the eye until it has healed.
Steroid and antiviral drops are used to treat more deeply entrenched cases of ocular herpes, such as stromal keratitis. These treatments reduce eye inflammation and prevent scarring. Surgery is performed if there is corneal scarring and other treatment methods do not solve the problem. A cornea transplant is needed to restore vision if the scar is permanent. There is no cure for eye herpes, but these treatment methods can help reduce outbreaks and symptoms.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
