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Sub-Category:

Ocular Infections

Number of Conditions: 1

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Keratitis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Viral Infections

Sub-category: Ocular Infections

Symptoms:
eye pain; redness; blurred vision; sensitivity to light; tearing; eye discharge; foreign body sensation in the eye

Root Cause:
HSV infection of the cornea, leading to inflammation and potential damage to the eye's surface. The virus can remain dormant in the trigeminal ganglion and reactivate, affecting the eye.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through clinical examination, fluorescein staining, slit-lamp examination, PCR testing, and viral cultures.

Treatment:
Antiviral treatment, either topical or systemic, along with corticosteroids (in some cases) to control inflammation.

Medications:
Topical acyclovir (an antiviral), oral valacyclovir , and famciclovir (oral antivirals), often in combination with corticosteroids like prednisolone to reduce inflammation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
HSV keratitis is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the developed world.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous ocular HSV infection, immunocompromised status, and trauma to the eye.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early treatment, the prognosis is generally good, but repeated infections can lead to scarring and vision loss.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Corneal scarring, glaucoma, and, in severe cases, permanent vision loss if untreated.