Unit 9: Red Eye
6: Herpes Simplex
Caused by the direct transmission of virus via infected secretions to non immune subjects.
Symptoms
- Severe monocular pain
- Red eye
- Photophobia (light sensitive)
- Tearing
- Blurred vision
- History of previous episodes
Source: EyeRounds.org. Contributor: William Charles Caccamise, Sr, MD, Retired Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Signs
- Vesicular blepharitis
- Follicular conjunctivitis
- Preauricular adenopathy
- Staining epithelial dendrites
Investigation
- Ask about previous herpetic eye disease
- Any nasal, oral (‘cold sores’) or genital herpetic disease?
- Recent topical or systemic steroids?
Immune deficiency state? - Examine cornea with fluorescein
Management
Refer to ophthalmology for topical aciclovir
