Also known as “herpes of the eye”, ocular herpes is a recurring viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is the most common infectious cause of corneal blindness in the United States. Clinical studies reveal that once individuals develop ocular herpes, there is a 50% chance of it recurring weeks or sometimes years after the first onset.
The disease can cause a painful sore on the eyelid or eye surface and result in corneal inflammation. To stop the virus from multiplying and destroying epithelial cells, immediate treatment with anti-viral drops can help.
But the infection can spread deep into the cornea and cause a serious disease called stromal keratitis, which causes the body’s immune system to attack and destroy stromal cells. And stromal keratitis is more difficult to treat than the less severe ocular herpes infections. It is also possible that recurring stromal keratitis will scar the cornea and lead to loss of vision and possible blindness.
Around 400,000 Americans have suffered from some form of ocular herpes and each year 50,000 new and recurring cases are diagnosed in the U.S. Stromal keratitis accounts for about 25% of these cases.
In one disturbing case study, researchers found that the recurrence rate of ocular herpes was 10% within one year, 23% within two years, and 63% within 20 years. Factors associated with recurrence include stress, eye injury, sunlight and fever.
As with herpes infections generally, ocular herpes can be controlled. Early detection and treatment of any eye disease is important and should you develop an eyelid or eye sore, please see your ophthalmologist immediately.
