Herpes Keratitis

Question 1

What is keratitis

Answer 1

Inflammation of cornea

Question 2

Causes of keratitis? Which one is most common?

Answer 2

Viral infection eg HSV
Bacterial infection eg pseudomonas, staphylococcus
Fungal eg candida, aspergillus
Contact lens induced acute red eye (CLARE)
Exposure keratitis

HSV is most common

Question 3

Difference between primary and recurrent herpes simplex?

Answer 3

Primary is first time injection of HSV causing more severe and longer duration of symptoms
Recurrent HSV is where virus is latent in the trigeminal ganglion and reactivates

Question 4

Where specifically does Herpes simplex keratitis affect the cornea?

Where does stromal keratitis affect the cornea?

Answer 4

Corneal epithelium

Stroma (between epithelium and endothelium)

Question 5

What complications does stromal keratitis lead to?

Answer 5

Stromal necrosis
Vascularisation
Scarring
Corneal blindness

Question 6

What

Question 7

Signs and symptoms of keratitis?

Answer 7

Primary keratitis:

• mild blepharoconjunctivitis

Recurrent infection:
- painful red eye
Photophobia
Vesicles
Foreign body sensation
Watery discharge
Reduced visual acuity