Therapy of Ocular Herpes Simplex Infections

Abstract

Herpes simplex viral infection is a common cause of infection involving the eye and skin adjacent to the eye. Acute keratoconjunctivitis is a frequently observed herpetic manifestation often accompanied or exacerbated by stress factors, including fever (especially when associated with respiratory or intestinal infection), stress, trauma, environmental exposure, drugs, and menstruation. Each year approximately 300,000 to 500,000 cases of corneal herpes are reported. Complications such as decreased or lost vision may be associated with attacks of ophthalmic herpes infections. Therefore, effective treatment is imperative.1 Experts estimate that nearly 25% of patients with a primary ocular infection will have a recurrence of the infection, and approximately 50% of these patients will have a recurrence within two years. Herpes viral infections are a significant cause of blindness and a primary indication for corneal transplants.