Bilateral herpes simplex keratitis: lactation a trigger for recurrence!

Abstract

A young lactating woman presenting to us with simultaneous bilateral corneal lesions was clinically diagnosed to have herpes simplex keratitis, which was confirmed by herpes simplex virus (HSV) PCR. The patient was administered topical and systemic acyclovir therapy and therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty was done in right eye. She was advised to continue breast feeding under strict hygienic conditions. Diagnosis and management of HSV keratitis in a lactating patient can be particularly challenging for both clinician and patient and adoption of a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to ensure safety of mother and child. At 3 months follow-up, the baby was clinically healthy, there were no side effects of acyclovir therapy in the mother or the baby and the patient showed no evidence of recurrence in either eye.