Herpes simplex eye infections occur when the herpes simplex virus affects tissues in or around the eye. When HSV affects the cornea, it's called HSV keratitis. It can cause pain, redness, light sensitivity, tearing, and blurred vision. Because repeat episodes can scar the cornea, prompt evaluation is an important part of medical eye care.
Kirk Eye Center has served Loveland, CO, and Northern Colorado since 1991. John D. Kirk, MD, FACS, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who treats medical eye conditions. Dr. Carver, OD, trained in ocular disease and has experience with medical eye conditions. Their backgrounds support careful evaluation and follow-up when HSV affects the eye.
What Is Herpes Simplex and How Do Eye Infections Occur?
HSV is a lifelong viral infection. HSV-1, the type associated with cold sores, is the main cause of herpes simplex keratitis, though HSV-2 can also affect the eye. After an initial infection, the virus can remain inactive in nerve tissue and reactivate later. An eye outbreak often results from reactivation rather than a new exposure.
What Are the Symptoms of an HSV Eye Infection?
Symptoms may include eye pain, redness, watery discharge, blurred vision, light sensitivity, or blisters near the eyelid. HSV keratitis usually affects one eye, though both eyes can be involved.
Doctors generally diagnose it based on your health history and an eye exam. An eye doctor may use a slit lamp and fluorescein dye to look for characteristic corneal changes. Lab testing is typically unnecessary.
How Does Kirk Eye Center Treat HSV?
Treatment depends on the tissues involved. Doctors may use antiviral eye drops or oral antiviral medication for active epithelial keratitis. For stromal keratitis or other deeper inflammatory forms of ocular HSV, an ophthalmologist may prescribe corticosteroid drops along with antiviral therapy. Don’t start steroid drops without medical guidance because they can worsen active epithelial HSV.
Surgery is rarely needed. A corneal transplant might be considered when earlier infections have left significant scarring that interferes with vision.
How Long Can HSV Eye Problems Last?
Recovery time varies with the depth and type of infection. Surface infections can heal sooner than deeper corneal inflammation, which may require longer care. HSV remains in the body after symptoms resolve, so that another outbreak can occur later.
Good hand hygiene can reduce direct viral spread, especially when you have a cold sore or other active herpes lesion. Some people with recurring ocular HSV may also take oral antiviral medicine to reduce future episodes.
Why Choose Kirk Eye Center for Herpes Simplex Eye Infection Treatment in Loveland, CO?
Kirk Eye Center has delivered comprehensive ophthalmology and optometry care in Northern Colorado since 1991. Dr. Kirk is board-certified in ophthalmology and has practiced in Loveland since the center opened, with experience treating a broad range of medical eye conditions. Dr. Carver also has training in medical eye disease, including an ocular-disease externship during optometry school. With ophthalmology and optometry services in one Loveland office, you can return to the same practice for examination, healing checks, and longer-term monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Wear Contact Lenses During a Herpes Eye Infection?
Remove your contact lenses if you develop symptoms of HSV keratitis and call your eye doctor. Resume lens wear only after your eye doctor says it’s safe.
Are Herpes Simplex Eye Infections Contagious?
HSV can spread through direct contact with infected saliva or active herpes lesions. Eye outbreaks, however, often come from reactivation of the virus already in the body. Wash your hands well and avoid touching your eyes after touching a cold sore.
Will Antibiotic Eye Drops Treat HSV Keratitis?
No. Antibiotics don’t treat the herpes simplex virus. HSV keratitis usually requires antiviral medicine. Don’t use leftover prescription drops, especially steroid drops, without guidance from an eye doctor.
Get Help for Herpes Simplex Eye Symptoms in Loveland, CO
Watch for eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, or sudden blurred vision. To arrange an evaluation with Kirk Eye Center in Loveland, CO, contact us or call 970-669-1107. Dr. Kirk and the eye care team can discuss your care.