Ophthalmologic Manifestations of Herpes Simplex Follow-up

  • Author: Robert H Graham, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 20, 2009
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • The major difficulties in treating herpetic keratitis are related to the tendency for recurrences and to the management of stromal disease. In its latent form, HSV can be present in the cells of the cornea and in the central connections of the trigeminal nerve, particularly in the trigeminal ganglion. Disturbance of the nerve results in reactivation of the virus and its subsequent passage centrifugally along the nerve, with shedding from the nerve endings. Lesions tend to occur when the balance between latency and host defenses is disturbed, such as during febrile illnesses, during menses, or on exposure to sunlight. Once trigger factors are identified, they need to be avoided. Using 400 mg of acyclovir once or twice a day as prophylaxis can reduce the incidence of recurrence.[20, 21] This is recommended for patients with recurrent stromal disease or more than 2 episodes of epithelial disease per year.[22, 23]
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Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

  • Acyclovir (400 mg bid) as prophylaxis to prevent recurrence
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Deterrence/Prevention

  • Acyclovir (400 mg qd or bid) as prophylaxis to prevent recurrence
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Complications

  • Even with proper treatment, corneal scarring can occur, and, if it is central, visual acuity can be lost.
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Prognosis

  • The prognosis is generally favorable with aggressive treatment.
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Patient Education

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert H Graham, MD  Senior Associate Consultant, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona

Robert H Graham, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and Arizona Ophthalmological Society

Disclosure: WebMD/eMedicine Salary Employment

Coauthor(s)

Kerry Assil, MD  Medical Director and CEO, The Sinskey Eye Institute

Kerry Assil, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Kilbourn Gordon III, MD, FACEP  Urgent Care Physician

Kilbourn Gordon III, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christopher J Rapuano, MD  Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Director of the Cornea Service, Co-Director of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute

Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; Vistakon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; EyeGate Pharma Consulting; Inspire Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Bausch & Lomb Consulting fee Consulting

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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