Ocular herpes is the infection of the herpes simplex virus type 1 in the eye. The virus is associated with the oral herpes condition that causes cold sores on the lips, mouth and nasal areas. The infection is recurrent, and scarring of the cornea and conjunctiva is common. According to The Mayo Clinic, herpes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Over 50,000 new cases of ocular herpes are diagnosed yearly, reports The National Eye Institute. After the first ocular outbreak, one in four patients will have a recurrence in the next two years.
Herpes Keratitis
Herpes keratitis is the most common of the herpes eye infections. The virus affects the cornea. Often only one eye is affected at a time, according to The University of Illinois Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Services. Eye drops or ointments, which attack the virus are often prescribed. More severe infections may require steroids applied to the eye using the eye drop method. The patient may be required to wear a therapeutic contact lens over the eye for several months. Symptoms include eye pain, redness and ulcers. Vision may be blurred or sensitive to light. The eye may tear or have discharge present. The infection often resolves itself. As with all ocular herpes infections, a cold sore appearing on the face in combination with the aforementioned symptoms aid in diagnosing herpes properly. Transmission to the eye occurs when a person transfers the virus by rubbing her eyes after touching her mouth. The virus may also be living in the mouth or nasal cavity of a person, and travel through the body's nervous system to the eye, according to Harvard Medical School.
Stromal Keratitis
Stromal keratitis involves frequent recurring infections of the herpes simplex virus, affecting deeper layers of the cornea, and may result in vision loss and blindness. Due to the repeat outbreaks of the herpes virus in the eye, the cornea becomes more damaged and scarred. Symptoms are similar to herpes keratitis yet further damage can include severe vision loss and blindness. Treatment methods again include steroids applied topically. This condition may not respond to treatment in which case a cornea transplant may be required.
Iridocyclitis
When the herpes simplex virus affects the iris and other portions of surrounding tissue, it is diagnosed as iridocyclitis. The iris, the colored portion of the eye behind the cornea, becomes infected. Sensitivity to light, blurred vision, pain and redness are symptoms associated with the condition.
