Herpetic eye disease

Abstract

AbstractPurpose Human herpes viral infection is a major cause of morbidity worldwide and a frequent cause of ocular pathology – conjunctivitis, keratitis, scleritis, uveitis, optic neuritis. It is a recurrent disease and the complications may lead to blindness.Methods Diverse clinical picture with various manifestations, risk factors and diagnostic problems are discussed in a retrospective review of 120 consecutive patients with herpetic eye infection referred to our hospital for a year. Pathogenesis and classification of ocular herpetic disease are analyzed. 50 patients (42%) had stromal keratitis. Symptoms and signs of recurrence were documented in 34 patients (28%). Herpes simplex infection was observed in 85 patients (71%) and varicella zoster virus in 35 patients (29%). Therapeutic approach depended on clinical form and stage.Results Controversies in optimal management and current treatment strategy are demonstrated. Treatment of complications, including severe cases with corneal perforation are presented.Conclusion Systemic antiviral treatment demonstrate beneficial effect in our series of patients. Importance of differentiating HSV and VZV is emphasized. But still to date scientifically proven answers on herpetic eye disease are very limited.