Ocular Herpes: A Comprehensive Guide
Ocular Herpes is an eye infection in the cornea caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.
It is also known as eye herpes.
It is very common and can spread through direct contact with someone who has the infection.
According to NCBI, it is acquired early in life; 50% of people in higher socioeconomic groups and 80% of people in lower socioeconomic groups in the United States have antibodies by age 30.
Read on to understand more about eye herpes.
Ocular Herpes Symptoms
A person can experience many symptoms of this infection.
It can occur in both eyes, but usually, only one eye gets affected.
The symptoms of ocular Herpes include
- Redness of the eye – mainly around the cornea
- Pain in the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Watering of the eye
- Blurring of vision
- Blepharitis (inflamed eyelids)
Herpes sores on the top of the eyelids are also possible. These may resemble a rash with blisters. The blisters will form crusts that usually heal in 3-7 days.
The symptoms are sometimes confused with other conditions like conjunctivitis, so getting a proper diagnosis from an eye specialist is essential.
Causes of Ocular Herpes
The HSV 1 virus typically causes ocular Herpes.
It is very contagious and can spread through contact with someone with the virus.
The virus spreads through a person’s nasal secretions or spit.
The virus mainly affects the transparent front part of the eye, the cornea. This is known as epithelial keratitis.
But if the infection goes deeper into the layers of the cornea, then it is more concerning and is known as stromal keratitis.
Sometimes, the virus enters the body, remains dormant for years, and can reactivate later when triggered.
Some of the triggers include
- Stress
- Fever
- Injury or trauma
- Menstruation
- Exposure to strong sunlight
Herpes simplex typically infects the eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea once in the eye. It can also contaminate the inside of the eye, though this is uncommon.
Diagnosing Ocular Herpes
An eye specialist diagnoses ocular Herpes by taking the person’s medical history and eye exams.
They may also physically examine the eye with a slit lamp (a device that allows doctors to examine it under magnification).
Then a special dye is put in the eye during the examination to see the infected area so that it is more clearly visible.
The doctor might also take a sample of the area and send it to a lab for further testing in some cases if the symptoms of the virus are not correctly present.
Also read: To learn about the recommended frequency for eye exams, we encourage you to read this informative article on The Eye Care Checklist: How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
Treatment of Ocular Herpes
Currently, there is no cure for ocular Herpes.
The doctor may provide treatments to manage the symptoms.
The treatment depends on the symptoms, severity, location, and age of the person.
Some of them include
- Antiviral eye drops or ointment to reduce the spread of the virus.
- Antiviral tablets treat more severe infections and stop the virus from returning later.
- Steroid eye drops to reduce deep infection and inflammation.
- In some rare cases, a laser procedure to remove the scar tissue might be needed if the scarring is too deep inside the eye.
Herpes is never completely gone, but most cases of herpes keratitis heal independently, much like cold sore outbreaks.
Takeaway
Ocular Herpes is an eye infection due to the Herpes simplex virus.
It is a widespread and contagious eye infection.
The virus can lie dormant in our body for years, but stressors like fever, stress, and trauma may reactivate it.
It has no cure, but a specialist provides medications to maintain the symptoms.
You should always consult an eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get ocular Herpes?
One can get Ocular Herpes when one encounters an infected person. The Herpes simplex virus causes this infection, and its symptoms include eye pain, redness in the eye, sensitivity to light, etc.
What causes ocular Herpes?
The type 1 herpes simplex virus causes ocular Herpes. It is also responsible for cold sores. It is contagious and can spread quickly. Once infected, this virus can lie dormant for years but later flare up due to triggers like stress, fever, etc.
How long does ocular Herpes last?
The ocular herpes infection lasts about 1-2 weeks, although it can last longer depending on its severity. Treatment can help in reducing the symptoms of ocular Herpes in about 2-3 weeks.
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