Herpetic keratouveitis: A three year follow‐up case

Abstract

Aims/Purpose: Herpetic keratouveitis1 is a common presentation to Eye Casualty but due to the broad spectrum of manifestations that it can present with, it is an easy diagnosis to miss. The aim of this report is to create awareness among ophthalmologists of how this disease can present, appropriate clues to the diagnosis as well as how it should be managed.Methods: A 76 year old male presented to the eye emergency department with a 1 week history of significant visual deterioration (6/90 pinhole), redness and photophobia in his left eye. He was initially treated 6 weeks prior with a course of tapering steroid drops for presumed acute anterior uveitis which led to an initial improvement in symptoms, followed by a sudden worsening of symptoms. Ocular examination revealed a 9 mm × 8 mm central corneal ulcer with a satellite lesion superonasally, Descemet folds, reduced corneal sensation with mild anterior chamber inflammation and no posterior segment pathology. Corneal scrapes as well as PCR was sent for culture and sensitivity.Results: PCR revealed a positive result for herpes simplex virus and the patient showed significant improvement with oral acyclovir, topical gancyclovir ointment and topical steroid drops. In the 3 years following the initial presentation, the patient has had 3 further episodes of left herpetic keratouveitis and has now been put on lifelong maintenance dose oral acyclovir and FML drops.Conclusions: We report this case to highlight the key clinical features compatible with herpetic keratouveitis. This disease can be chronic and should be considered in any patient presenting with chronic anterior uveitis not improving with steroid drops. PCR remains the gold‐standard for diagnosis however this is not always positive and clinical diagnosis remains key.Reference1. Cunningham E.T. Diagnosing and treating herpetic anterior uveitis. Ophthalmology 2000; 107(12: 2129–30. doi:10.1016/s0161‐6420(00)00287‐6.