Keratitis -- Re: Cold sores and sore eyes!!! Re: Infected For Life

[Guest guest]

Sources can be found by searching some of the content below. You'll know it if

you ever get this -- feels like glass in the eye -- I feel very sorry for those

unable to be treated as you can imagine it being quite painful.

Keratitis

Corneal Inflammation

The cornea, that crystal clear watch glass-type structure on the front of the

eye through which we all see as we look out of the world, defends itself from a

hostile and outside world in unusual ways. Unlike the skin, which is bothered

very little by a scar which results from the immune system creating inflammation

to fight infection around a cut, the cornea is bothered enormously by an

exuberant inflammatory response and scarring as a result of that. Indeed,

scarring of the cornea is the number one cause of blindness worldwide. The

primary cause of such scars is inflammation. Inflammation of the cornea is

called keratitis.

Keratitis is a serious problem, with major potential for resulting in

permanent loss of vision secondary to corneal scarring or loss of clarity of the

cornea after the inflammation or keratitis has disappeared. Keratitis may occur

as a result of a wide variety of stimuli, but by far the most common is

infection. Interestingly, the most common microbe causing corneal infections is

herpes simplex virus. This usually comes as a great surprise to most people, who

associate herpes simplex virus either with a sexually transmitted problem or

with the very common fever blisters and cold sores which people often

experience. Indeed, herpes can infect the cornea, and it usually does so in

exactly the same way that it infects an individual’s lip or mouth when they are

having an episode of fever blister or cold sore. Such an individual usually has

not contracted the herpes recently, but rather is experiencing a recurrence or

reactivation of herpes from its dormant, latent or

hibernating state. The original infection or contact with the virus usually

occurred many years ago, perhaps usually in childhood. For some unlucky

individuals, when the virus " wakes up " from its state of hibernation in the

trigeminal ganglion (perhaps because of fever or sunburn, trauma, or stress)

rather than " marching " down the nerve twigs that supply the mouth and lips,

instead it takes a " wrong turn " and marches down the nerve twigs which supply

the eye, resulting in an episode of herpes infection of the cornea. Such

infections have major blinding potential because of the aforementioned

inflammation (keratitis) and resulting high probability of scarring of the

cornea. The major initial symptom of herpes keratitis is light sensitivity,

followed by pain, redness and tearing. Any of these signs and symptoms should

stimulate a patient to seek an ophthalmologist’s care immediately, since the

earlier herpes infection of the cornea is diagnosed and treated, the less likely

significant permanent damage to the cornea will occur.

Herpes Simplex

Eye Disease

Herpes simplex is a very common virus affecting the skin, mucous membranes,

nervous system, and the eye. There are two types of herpes simplex. Type I

causes cold sores or fever blisters and may involve the eye. Type II is sexually

transmitted and rarely causes ocular problems.

Nearly everyone is exposed to the virus during childhood. Herpes simplex is

transmitted through bodily fluids, and the saliva of an adult often infects

children. The initial infection is usually mild, causing only a sore throat or

mouth. After exposure, herpes simplex usually lies dormant in the nerve that

supplies the eye and skin.

Later on, the virus may be reactivated by stress, heat, running a fever,

sunlight, hormonal changes, trauma, or certain medications. It is more likely

to recur in people who have diseases that suppress their immune system. In some

cases, the recurrence is triggered repeatedly and becomes a chronic problem.

When the eye is involved, herpes simplex typically affects the eyelids,

conjunctiva, and cornea. Keratitis (swelling caused by the infection), a

problem affecting the cornea, is often the first ocular sign of the disease. In

some cases, the infection extends to the middle layers of the cornea, increasing

the possibility of permanent scarring. Some patients develop uveitis, an

inflammatory condition that affects other eye tissues.

Signs and Symptoms

• Pain

• Red eye

• Tearing

• Light sensitivity

• Irritation, scratchiness

• Decreased vision (dependent on the location and extent of the infection)

Detection and Diagnosis

Herpes simplex is diagnosed with a slit lamp examination. Tinted eye drops

that highlight the affected areas of the cornea may be instilled to help the

doctor evaluate the extent of the infection.

Treatment

Treatment of herpes simplex keratitis depends on the severity. An initial

outbreak is typically treated with topical and sometimes oral anti-viral

medication. The doctor may gently scrape the affected area of the cornea to

remove the diseased cells. Patients who experience permanent corneal scarring

as a result of severe and recurrent infections may require a corneal transplant

to restore their vision.

<toriaquilts@...> wrote:

THANKS, DAVE--

TAKE CARE,

VICKI

Cold sores and sore eyes!!! Re: [] Infected For Life

Very interesting article.

I have had about 1/2 dozen occurances of the ocular keratitis -- not much fun

having ones cornea eaten. Cause was guessed to e stress related.

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[Guest guest]

IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE NEEDLES, STICKING ME IN THE EYES.....NOT PLEASANT, BUT

WAYYYYYYYY LESS PAINFUL THAN MY ILLNESS ONSET.

TAKE CARE,

V.

Cold sores and sore eyes!!! Re: [] Infected For Life

Very interesting article.

I have had about 1/2 dozen occurances of the ocular keratitis -- not much fun

having ones cornea eaten. Cause was guessed to e stress related.

---------------------------------

Ring'em or ping'em. Make PC-to-phone calls as low as 1¢/min with

Messenger with Voice.