Eyes Symptoms of Herpes

Ocular herpes is a common eye infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. The infection is sometimes referred to as eye herpes or a cold sore of the eye. It is contagious and is passed from being in close contact with an infected person.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of ocular herpes include pain, eye redness and irritation, sores on the eyes, a watery discharge, and recurrent eye infections.

Light Sensitivity

• Light sensitivity, or photophobia, is a symptom of ocular herpes. The infection causes intolerance to sunlight and artificial light, and may cause headaches.

Vision Loss

• Blurry vision, vision loss and blindness are serious effects of a form of ocular herpes called herpes retinitis. This condition attacks the eye's retina and is usually seen in people with weakened immune systems.

Prevalence

• The National Eye Institute reports as many as 400,000 people in the United States are affected by ocular herpes, and that around 50,000 cases of the eye infection are reported every year.

Treatment

• Ocular herpes is treated with antiviral ointments and pills, as well as steroid and antiviral eye drops. When ocular herpes infection is more advanced a doctor may scrape the infected area clean, or perform surgery or a corneal transplant.