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Herpes Eye Infections

Stephanie L. Conway-Allen, RPh, PharmD and Kathleen Barry, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Eye infection (blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, stromal keratitis, uveitis, retinitis, glaucoma, or optic neuritis) caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 or 2 or varice...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Varies according to the virus and the ocular structures involved

  • History of varicella or herpes simplex infection

  • Acute onset, eye pain, headache, photophobia, tearing, ocular redness, ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Avoid contact with nonimmune people.

  • No contact lenses should be worn during treatment period.

  • Cool compresses; artificial tears; oral pain medications

MEDICATION

First Line

  • HSV c...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Monitor with slit-lamp exam q1–2d until improvement and then q3–4d until epithelial defect resolves.

  • Weekly after epithelial disease resolves unt...

REFERENCES

1
Knickelbein  JE, Hendricks  RL, Charukamnoetkanok  P. Management of herpes simplex virus stromal keratitis: an evidence-based review. Surv Ophthalmol.  2009;54...

SEE ALSO

  • Herpes Simplex; Herpes Simplex Virus, Pediatric; Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

  • Algorithm: Eye Pain

CODES

ICD10

  • B00.50 Herpesviral ocular disease, unspecified

  • B02.30 Zoster ocular disease, unspecified

  • B00.52 Herpesviral keratitis

  • B02.33 Zoster keratitis

  • B02.39 Other herpes zoster eye disease

  • B02.31 Zoster...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • HSV and VZV can lead to a wide array of ocular manifestations, ranging from self-limited disease to potentially vision-threatening disease and complications.

  • An exam with fluorescein st...

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