Viral keratitis

Viral keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea caused by a viral infection.

Causes

Viral keratitis is most often caused by herpes simplex viruses (HSV, HSV), in particular HSV-1. Less commonly, the causes may be varicella zoster virus (VZV), adenoviruses, and hepatitis B virus. The disease can occur both during primary infection and during reactivation of latent (latent) herpetic infection.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of viral keratitis:

1. eye pain
2. redness of the eye
3. lacrimation
4. photophobia
5. pain and itching in the eye
6. sensation of a foreign body in the eye
7. decreased vision

Depending on the form of keratitis, additional symptoms may be observed - corneal edema, the appearance of infiltrates, ulcers, erosions.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of viral keratitis is established on the basis of complaints, medical history, ophthalmological examination and additional examination methods:

1. Biomicroscopy of the eye allows us to identify characteristic changes in the cornea.

2. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the blood confirms the presence of an active viral infection.

3. Swabs from the mucous membranes of the eye are examined to identify virus antigens.

Treatment

Treatment for viral keratitis includes:

1. Local use of antiviral drugs (acyclovir, ganciclovir, trimetazidine, interferons).

2. Instillation of antibiotics and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

3. Immunomodulators and vitamin therapy to improve immunity.

4. Physiotherapeutic procedures (Ural irradiation, laser, electrophoresis).

In severe forms of keratitis, surgical treatment - keratoplasty - may be required.

The prognosis with timely treatment is usually favorable. However, relapses of the disease are possible. Therefore, after the exacerbation has stopped, clinical observation and prevention of virus reactivation are required.