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Signs and Symptoms of a Herpes Infection in the Eye

Herpes of the eye, or ocular herpes, is a recurrent herpes Type 1 infection of the eye. Type 1 herpes in the eye can cause inflammation and scarring of the cornea. Transmission of the virus is through close contact with an infected person, such as a cold sore on the lips. The herpes simplex virus then travels through the nose or mouth, and finally to the nerves where it either remains dormant or develops into an infection. The exact way it causes the infection is unknown, but there are common symptoms, such as swelling around the eyes, tearing, recurring eye infections, eye irritation, the sensation of having a foreign substance in the eye, red eyes, watery discharge from the eyes and sensitivity to light.

  1. Herpes Keratitis

    • This is the most common type of herpes of the eye and usually heals without scarring. It affects the top layer of the cornea, known as the epithelium. This type of herpes usually presents itself as a red eye with varying degrees of pain and irritation. Photophobia, sensitivity to light and aversion to sunlight and epiphora, overflow of tears due to obstruction of the lacrimal duct, are common symptoms. Skin rash and follicular conjunctivitis can also occur but to a lesser extent. Dendritic corneal ulcers are the tell-tale sign of herpes keratitis and usually occur in severe cases.

    Stromal Keratitis

    • Stromal keratitis is one of the primary reasons for corneal scarring which may lead to blindness. Stromal keratitis occurs when the herpes infection goes down deeper into the layers of the cornea. Symptoms are scarring, pain or a severe ache, aversion to artificial and natural light, the sensation of a foreign body in the eye, necrosis of the stroma (death of living cells or tissue in the middle corneal layer), loss of vision and possible blindness. Most people who develop stromal keratitis have a history of epithelial keratitis (a condition in which the herpes infection only affects the "superficial" or top layer of the eye).

    Iridocyclitis

    • Iridocyclitis is a serious form of herpes infection that occurs when the iris and surrounding tissues inside the eye become inflamed. When this infection occurs deeper in the eye, such as in the retina or lining in the back of the eye, it is known as herpes retinitis. Symptoms of iridocyclitis include severe sensitivity to artificial and natural light, blurred vision, pain, redness, constricted pupils, tearing or watery eyes and a discolored iris.

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