Ocular herpes occurs due to the herpes simplex type 1 virus and it is a common and recurrent infection that affects the eyes. In this infection inflammation along with scarring in the cornea is observed and this condition is also called cold sore affecting the eye. This infection is transmitted by way of close contact with a person who is infected with this virus.

As many as 400,000 people in America experience some type of ocular herpes. The kind of eye herpes includes herpes keratitis, stromal keratitis and iridocyclitis. In herpes keratitis the top layer of the cornea or the epithelium is affected and this normally heals without any scarring. With stromal keratitis the infection normally goes much deeper within the layers and this can lead to scarring and even loss of vision.

Stromal keratitis is caused as a result of a late response of the immune system to the primary or the original infection. Iridocyclitis is a serious type of ocular herpes in which the iris along with the surrounding tissues get inflamed and become sensitive to light. This can cause pain, redness and blurred vision. In this form of condition the anterior portion inside the eyes is affected.

Symptoms of ocular herpes include swelling near the eyes, irritation and redness in the eyes, soreness, tearing, watery discharge and recurring infection in the eye along with excessive sensitivity towards the light. In some cases inflammation is observed in the cornea along with severe ocular pain. In this condition the virus may enter the body through the mouth or the nose and it may travel to the nerves.

Stress related factors, sunburn and other aspects such as surgical procedures may activate the dormant virus. After the first outbreak there is a 50% chance that ocular herpes symptoms may be reactivated. Treatment of this condition depends on the location of the infection.

In case the ocular herpes is superficial then it can be resolved through antiviral eye drops or antiviral pills. An eye doctor may scrape away the infection from the corneal cells by a cotton swab or a spatula. Such scraping of infection is called debridement and in that case a soft contact lens may be needed to allow the cornea enough time to heal.

Steroid drops may be used to help reduce the inflammation and also to help prevent scarring of the cornea. Steroid drops are often used together with antiviral drops. If corneal scarring is observed then in some cases surgery may be needed and in cases of permanent corneal scarring corneal transplant may be needed.