|
Herpes affecting the area around and in the eye is referred to as ocular herpes. It is usually caused by HSV-1, the herpes simplex virus responsible for most cold sores. It is estimated that 400,000 Americans have experienced some form of ocular herpes, with close to 50,000 new and recurring cases occurring each year. There is no cure for eye herpes.
The eyelids, the mucous membrane that covers the eyeball and the under surface of the eyelid, and the cornea are the parts of the eye ocular herpes generally infects.
One of the first signs of infection is inflammation of the cornea, or keratitis. Herpes keratitis is the most common form of eye herpes.
The infection can spread to the middle layers of the cornea, which may cause permanent scarring, loss of vision and, occasionally, blindness. Stromal keratitis occurs when this happens and the infection goes deeper into the layers of the cornea. Although this is rare, the National Eye Institute reports that stromal keratitis is the leading cause of corneal scarring that results in blindness in the United States.
Another serious form of ocular herpes is iridocyclitis, the inflammation of the iris and ciliary body of the eye. This can cause severe sensitivity to light, blurred vision, pain and redness.
When this infection occurs in the retina or the inside lining of the back of the eye, it is known as herpes retinitis.
Ocular herpes can be transmitted through contact with another person who is having an outbreak. You can also contract herpes of the eye by self inoculation and contamination during your own active herpes infection or cold sore. Another reason for good hygiene!
If you think you may have ocular herpes, it is recommended that you see an ophthalmologist or eye doctor. Treatment for eye herpes depends on where the infection is located in the eye. Some ocular herpes treatments could aggravate the outbreak and, therefore, should be treated on a case-by-case basis. Your doctor, with treatment programs, can help control outbreaks.
|
