{"id":11738,"date":"2021-05-30T05:19:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-30T05:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=11738"},"modified":"2021-12-13T14:01:20","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T14:01:20","slug":"eyes-and-herpes-qa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-corneal-diseases\/can-herpes-affect-the-eyes\/eyes-and-herpes-qa\/","title":{"rendered":"Eyes and Herpes: Q&A"},"content":{"rendered":"

Herpes eye infection requires urgent medical attention.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Eye herpes, also known as herpes keratitis, is a viral infection of the eye caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).<\/p>\n

There are two major types of the virus; Type I and Type II. While both types of herpes can spread to the eye and cause infection, Type I is by far the most frequent cause of eye infections. It is rare to transfer Type II to the eye.<\/p>\n

Here are commonly asked questions about eye herpes.<\/p>\n

#1 Is this condition serious?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Yes. Eye herpes is a serious infection of your cornea, possibly causing life-long blindness.<\/p>\n

Once treated, eye herpes usually lasts 1-3 weeks, sometimes even longer.<\/p>\n

Treatment normally lasts two weeks, and you should see results within five days.<\/p>\n

#2 What are common symptoms of eye herpes?<\/b><\/h2>\n

At the first sign of an outbreak, contact your doctor to begin treatment as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of vision loss.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms of herpes keratitis may include:<\/p>\n