Ocular, or Eye, Herpes is caused by the Type 1 Herpes Simplex Virus. A common, recurrent and viral infection of the eye, this condition, which generally affects only one eye, can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person whose virus is in an active stage. Nearly 400,000 Americans have reported at least one instance of ocular herpes with 50,000 new and/or recurring cases each and every year.
Of course, there are several brands of ocular herpes. When herpes affects the cornea, it is referred to as Herpes Keratitis. It is the most common type of ocular herps. Herpes Keratitis is usually superficial in nature and involves the top layer (epithelium) of the cornea. It heals without scarring in the variety of cases.
However, when herpes goes deeper into the cornea, it is referred to as stromal keratitis. Thought to be caused by a late immune response to the original infection, stromal keratitis is relatively rare. It is also the leading cause of corneal scarring (or cold sore of the cornea) and can lead to temporary or permanent vision loss.
Iridocyclitis is a very serious form of ocular herpees in which the iris, a thin diaphragm of connective tissue and smooth muscle fibers unique to each individual, becomes inflamed. This causes severe sensitivity to light, blurred vision, pain and redness. An inflammation of the inner eye, iridocyclitis can go deeper into the eye than the other forms of eye herpes we’ve discussed. If it reaches as far as the retina, then it’s referred to as herpes retinitis.
Signs and symptoms of ocular herpes include:
- swelling
- tearing
- recurrent infection
- irritation
- feeling like there’s something stuck in your eye
- redness
- soreness
- sores
- watery discharge
- sensitivity to light
- and more
If you suspect that you have eye herpes, or struggle with one or more of these symptoms, it’s wise to consult with an eye doctor. He or she is best equipped to make an accurate diagnosis and set up a treatment plan. Treatments for eye herpes depend on where the infection is located. The further inside the eye the infection is, the more comprehensive the treatment will be.
Pills, drops and ointments are commonly employed to treat eye herpes. In some instances, the eye doctor will scrape away the infected corneal epithelial cells with a cotton swap or ‘spatula’. After such treatment, which is called debridement, the patient will wear an eye patch or soft contact lens until the eye is considered healed.
Sometimes, steroid drops will be deemed necessary. These can help decrease corneal inflammation and prevent scarring. Steroids are almost always used in conjunction with antiviral drops. Just like other steroid medications, the drops will decrease the eye’s immune system. It’s unwise to use any steroid medications that are NOT prescribed by your eye doctor. In some cases, steroid drops can cause recurrent infections in susceptible patients. The doctor can then use an antiviral medication and a patch or contact lens to protect the eye from further infection while giving you time to heal.
In rare instances, surgery may be required to help clear the center of the cornea. If all else fails, a corneal transplant may be recommended to help restore lost vision.
Although there’s no cure for ocular herpes, proper treatment can help control and even prevent recurrent outbreaks. The most important thing you can do to keep your eyes healthy is to make sure you have your regular check-ups and go to the eye doctor if you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned in this article.
