Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

O
ocular herpes simplex An INFECTION of the eyes
with HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS 1 (HSV-1), which causes
cold sores, or herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2),
which causes GENITAL HERPES. The virus spreads to
the eye to cause the initial infection via contamination
from contact with an existing herpes sore
elsewhere on the body. Ocular herpes simplex features
similar eruptions of sores on the surface of
the EYE and inside the eyelids. The sores are very
painful and can cause permanent scarring of the
CORNEA.
About half of people who have one outbreak of
ocular herpes simplex will experience a second;
about 20 percent have persistently recurring infections,
ranking ocular herpes simplex as the leading
infectious cause of corneal destruction. A serious
complication of ocular herpes simplex is stromal
KERATITIS, in which the IMMUNE SYSTEM begins to
attack the stromal cells that make up the cornea.
This leads to scarring deep within the cornea,
resulting in distortions of vision and diminished
VISUAL ACUITY.
The sores of ocular herpes simplex are characteristic
of the infection. The antiviral medication
acyclovir may reduce the severity of outbreaks of
the infection when taken at the first sign of symptoms.
Some studies show that taking acyclovir for
12 months significantly reduces recurrent ocular
herpes simplex. However, there is no cure for
herpes infection. Damage that occurs as a consequence
of infection is permanent. Infectioncontrol
methods, such as frequent HAND WASHING
and keeping the fingers away from the eyes, can
help prevent initial infection.
See also ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS; AUTOIMMUNE DIS-
ORDERS; COLD SORE; CORNEAL INJURY; CORNEAL TRANS-
PLANTATION.
ocular herpes zoster INFECTION of the eyes with
the varicella zoster VIRUS, a member of the HERPES
SIMPLEX family of viruses that causes CHICKENPOX
and shingles. After the infectious stage of chickenpox
subsides, the virus submerges itself in NERVE
roots. It may reemerge years to decades later,
erupting in a rash of painful blisters along a nerve
tract that hosts the virus. Ocular herpes zoster
occurs when an outbreak that affects the face,
usually along the tract of the trigeminal nerve,
spreads to the EYE. Usually the outbreak affects
only the eye on the same side of the face as the
shingles eruption, though sometimes the shingles
eruption affects both sides of the face. When this
is the case, ocular herpes zoster can affect both
eyes as well. As in other locations, the shingles
blisters in the eye cause intense PAIN.
The blisters and pain are characteristic of ocular
herpes zoster, making it possible for the doctor to
make the diagnosis based on their presentation.
Treatment typically includes ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS
(such as acyclovir), ophthalmic CORTICOSTEROID
MEDICATIONS to reduce INFLAMMATION, tricyclic ANTI-
DEPRESSANT MEDICATIONS to prevent postherpetic
NEURALGIA, and ANALGESIC MEDICATIONS to relieve
pain. Symptoms may take several weeks to several
months to resolve. Numerous complications are
possible that can have long-term consequences for
vision, including GLAUCOMA and CATARACT. Ocular
herpes zoster very seldom recurs, though this is a
risk for those who are immunocompromised such
as with HIV/AIDS or receiving IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE
THERAPY such as following ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION.
See also BLISTER; CORNEAL TRANSPLANTATION.
ophthalmic examination The basic diagnostic
procedures an ophthalmologist uses to assess the
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