- A kind of keratitis due to recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the cornea.
- Starts with infection of epithelial cells on the surface of the eye and backward infection of corneal nerves.
- Blepharoconjunctivitis: primary infection that manifests as conjunctival swelling and eyelids with small, white itchy wounds on the surface of the cornea.
- Lesion effects are varied, from little damage to the epithelium (superficial punctate keratitis) to dendritic ulcer formation.
- It affects one eye at a time.
- Recurrent episodes may be worse, showing development of larger dendritic ulcers and white plaque formation on lesion sites.
- There is removal of epithelial layers and mild inflammation (iritis) may also happen. Loss of sensation may occur. Recurrence can be joined by chronic dry eye, low grade intermittent conjunctivitis, or chronic unexplained sinusitis.
- Very common in humans and is stated as the most common cause of cornea-derived blindness in developed nations.
- Other names: herpetic keratoconjunctivitis, herpes viral keratitis.