Ocular herpes, a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, is the most common cause of infectious corneal blindness in the United States, the National Eye Institute reports. Around 400,000 people have had at least one case of ocular herpes, and 50,000 people have a new or recurring infection each year. Approximately 50 percent of people who have ocular herpes once will have a recurrence of the infection at some time. Treatment for ocular herpes depends to some extent on whether the superficial or deeper layers of the cornea, the clear domed covering of the front of the eye, are affected.
Antibiotic and Lubricating Eye Drops
Antibiotic or lubricating eye drops are used to treat sterile ulcers and prevent secondary bacterial infection in cases of ocular herpes. A therapeutic contact lens may be placed over the eye to allow it to heal.
Antiviral Medications
Superficial herpes infections of the top layer of the cornea are treated with antiviral medications taken in pill or eye drop form, the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary reports. Antiviral medications are less effective against herpes infections of the deeper layers of the cornea.
Debridement
Herpes simplex infected cells may be scraped off the surface of the cornea by an ophthalmologist, using a soft cotton swab or special corneal spatula. After this procedure, known as debridement, a soft contact lens or patch may be placed over the eye to aid in healing.
Steroid Eye Drops
Steroid eye drops are used if infection of the deeper tissues of the cornea and inflammation of the inner part of the eye are present. Infection of the deeper corneal layers is called stromal keratitis. Repeated infections causing stromal keratitis can cause permanent scarring of the cornea and vision loss. Twenty five percent of people with ocular herpes have stromal keratitis, the National Eye Institute states.
Corneal Transplant
If severe corneal scarring develops after repeated ocular herpes infections, a corneal transplant may be necessary to restore lost vision. Corneal transplant is usually done as an outpatient procedure. Risks include infection, rejection of the new cornea and development of high intraocular pressure, the Mayo Clinic reports.
References
- University of Illinois at Chicago: Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary; Ocular Herpes Simplex
- Digital Journal of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School; Herpes Simplex Virus in the Eye
- AllAboutVision.com: Eye Herpes
- National Eye Institute: Facts About the Cornea and Corneal Disease
- Mayo Clinic: Corneal Transplant
