What Are the Different Treatments for Herpes Simplex Keratitis?

Herpes simplex keratitis is the most common infectious keratopathy. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of keratopathy, which has risen to the top. The disease is mostly caused by herpes simplex virus type infection, which usually recurs after primary infection. The primary infection often occurs in young children and manifests as cold sores, skin herpes, or acute follicular conjunctivitis. After the primary infection, the virus lurks in the trigeminal ganglia. Once the body's resistance decreases, such as colds, fever, fatigue, menstruation, topical corticosteroids and trauma stimulation, the virus activates, causing various forms of keratitis, and it is easy to repeat attack.

Herpes simplex keratitis

Overview of herpes simplex keratitis

Clinical manifestations of herpes simplex keratitis

1. A history of cold or fever before onset; 2. Photophobia, tearing, foreign body sensation or eye pain, vision loss; 3. Dendritic keratitis: ulcers are dendritic or coral-like; It comes from the enlargement and deepening of dendritic ulcers; 5. Disc keratitis: turbid edema in the central cornea, and the epithelium is basically intact.

Diagnosis of herpes simplex keratitis

1. Typical dendritic or map-shaped corneal disease or corneal discoid turbid edema; 2. Induced by recent fever or decreased resistance; 3. Herpes simplex virus can be found in diseased tissues.

Herpes simplex keratitis treatment principles

1. Anti-virus and prevent infection. 2. Debridement therapy. 3. Mydriasis complicated with mydriasis. 4. Surgical treatment.

Medication principle

In general, acyclovir eye drops are preferred, and other antiviral eye drops can also be used. Supplemented with antibiotic eye drops and interferon, vitamins, etc. Intact corneal epithelium can be appropriately supplemented with corticosteroid eye drops, and mydriatics for those with iridocyclitis.

Auxiliary inspection

In general cases, diagnosis can be confirmed by checking the box A. The inspection project for atypical cases should include the check boxes A and B, and C may be added if necessary.

Efficacy Evaluation

1. Cure: the symptoms disappear, the corneal ulcer heals or the turbid edema subsides. 2. Improvement: Symptoms are improved, hyperemia is reduced, corneal ulcers are partially healed, and corneal opacity is reduced. 3. Unhealed: No improvement or exacerbation of symptoms and signs.

Herpes simplex keratitis expert tips

Keratosis currently has more viral infections than bacterial infections. Herpes simplex keratitis has a long course and is prone to recurrence. Usually you should pay attention to increase your physique. Once you are sick, you should use antiviral eye drops frequently, and at the same time use antibiotic eye drops to prevent bacterial infection. In the active phase of ulcers, corticosteroid eye drops cannot be abused in order to relieve symptoms, so as not to cause serious complications such as exacerbations and even corneal perforations.

Herpes zoster keratitis

Shingles virus is a virus that grows in the nerves and can spread to the skin and cause shingles. Even though shingles can appear on the face or forehead, it does not necessarily harm the eyes. However, if the eye branch of the fifth pair of cranial nerves (trigeminal nerves) is affected, the infection is likely to spread to the eyes. The disease manifests as pain, red eyes, and eyelid edema. If the cornea is affected, the cornea can become edema, damaged and scarred. Tissues behind the cornea can also become inflamed, a condition called uveitis. Intraocular pressure may increase, causing secondary glaucoma. Common complications of herpes zoster infections are corneal hypoesthesia and refractory glaucoma.

If shingles occurs on the face and harms the eyes, acyclovir can be taken orally for a week to reduce the risk of ocular complications. Corticosteroid drugs, often formulated as eye drops to the eye, can also help. Atropine eye drops are often used to dilate pupils and prevent secondary glaucoma. Sometimes pain can occur after the herpes rash has disappeared (postherpetic neuralgia). Oral corticosteroids for 2 weeks in patients with a good general condition over 60 years can prevent this postherpetic neuralgia.