How to Control Optical Herpes

Herpes infection of the eye is a potentially serious condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is the number one cause of blindness in the United States. Herpes infection of the eye is normally caused by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), the virus that causes cold sores, although other herpes viruses can also lead to infection of the eye. Because of possible complications it is important to seek prompt medical treatment for suspected ocular herpes.

Instructions

Controlling Optical Herpes

• 1

  See a physician for the symptoms of herpetic involvement of the eye. According to Merck Manuals, these include pain in the eye, tearing, redness, sensitivity to light and sometimes cloudy vision. Only a doctor can properly diagnose ocular herpes and develop a plan to treat the condition.

• 2

  Use antiviral drugs as prescribed by your doctor. These may come in the form of either eye drops or medications taken orally (by the mouth). As in the case of other herpetic conditions, it is necessary to start treatment with antivirals early on for the greatest effectiveness, according to Merck Manuals.

• 3

  Apply corticosteroid eye drops if prescribed by your doctor in order to relieve inflammation. Merck Manuals reports that this treatment is prescribed if the infection has moved deeper in the eye than the cornea, the most common site of infection of the eye with herpes.

• 4

  Undergo treatment to remove affected cells if recommended by your doctor. In this procedure, a tool tipped with cotton is used to wipe away the cells of the cornea that show herpetic infection.