Definition: Ocular herpes, or eye herpes, is a recurrent viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Ocular herpes is the most common infectious cause of corneal blindness in the United States. HSV infection can be transferred to the eye by touching your eye after contact with an active lesion (a cold sore or blister).
Ocular herpes can produce painful sores on the eyelid or eye surface and cause inflammation of the cornea. Mild infections of ocular herpes are usually treated with topical and oral antiviral medication. In severe cases, the infection may spread deeper into the cornea. Recurrent episodes of ocular herpes can cause scarring of the cornea that may lead to loss of vision and possibly blindness.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) estimates that 400,000 Americans have experienced some form of ocular herpes. Studies have shown that once a person develops ocular herpes, they have up to a 50 percent chance of having a recurrence.
Also Known As: Eye herpes
