Keratitis: Should You See a Doctor for Eye Herpes?
Yes, you should see a doctor if you suspect you have Herpes
Keratitis. Although many cases of Eye Herpes are harmless
and go away on their own, some cases can be very severe and cause
permanent damage.
Herpes Keratitis means inflammation of the cornea,
the clear dome that covers the front part of the eye. It is usually a complication of an existing Herpes virus,
Herpes Simplex and usually takes place after the outbreak period of HSV.
You may also develop
Herpes Keratitis via cross contamination, for example if you touch
your cold sore and then your eye or in some
cases you may catch it from someone else. You should therefore keep
good hygiene, don't share makeup and be extra careful if you wear
contact lenses and have a cold sore.
When you go to the doctor, he or she will most likely use
a slit lamp
examination. Tinted eye drops that highlight affected areas in
the eye may also be used to assess the extent of the Keratitis
infection. You will be advised on what to do next and you may be
given a prescription for antiviral eye drops, either trifluridine
or vidaribine.
Untreated severe cases of Herpes Keratitis may cause
- Scarring of the cornea
- Chronic inflammation of the cornea
- Development of tiny blood vessels in the eye
- Glaucoma
- Loss of vision
- Blindness
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