Herpes is the most common infection that is found in almost one-third of Americans. However, there are two types of herpes: HSV 1 and HSV 2. Both types affect the different areas of your body with cold sores.
While HSV-1 can cause cold sores around the lips and mouth, it can also affect your eyes. HSV-2, on the other hand, mainly affects your genital area.
Understanding Eye Herpes
Each year, eye herpes affects 1.5 million people worldwide. In fact in the US and Canada, it is one of the leading culprits that cause eyesight problems.
Eye herpes, also known as HSV keratitis, is a common eye infection caused by the type 1 herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). However, although relatively rare, the HSV-2 and herpes zoster viruses can also cause eye herpes.
People usually get eye herpes after touching a cold sore and then touching their eyes with contaminated fingers. Once infected, the virus remains in the body indefinitely. Many people who have eye herpes may be unaware that they have it. This is because it can remain dormant within the nervous system without causing any symptoms.
It is not uncommon for HSV to reactivate months or even years after being infected. Flare-ups usually resolve themselves within 12 weeks, and many reoccur within 10 years.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for herpes just yet, but the cold sore treatment can help you in minimizing the outbreaks and effects of herpes. Cold sore treatments over the counter can also help minimize the irritation and effects of eye herpes.
Let’s dive into the article to know the symptoms, causes, and treatment of cold sores that cause vision problems.
Symptoms of Eye Herpes
Herpes eye disease flare-ups can scar your cornea over time. This scarring could last a lifetime (permanent). This can result in vision loss and, in extreme cases, blindness. However, the symptoms of eye herpes are as follows:
- Redness in eyes
- Pain in eyes
- Constant tearing
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Severe headache
- Rash on the eyelids
- Eyelids having painful sores
- Reduced vision due to redness of the eye or eye pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- A feeling of something in the eyes
These are the most common symptoms of eye herpes. However, you should immediately visit your doctor for cold sore treatment to limit the effects of herpes. Moreover, leaving eye herpes untreated can cause corneal ulcers and scarring. As a result, it leads to permanent vision loss and even blindness.
Causes of Eye Herpes Flare-Ups
Major stressors are frequently associated with an outbreak of eye herpes. Some even ask can vision problems cause anxiety, well, these are some examples:
- Emotional anguish
- Excessive exposure to sunlight (UV rays)
- Fever
- Significant surgical or dental procedures
- Laser eye surgery (LASIK, etc.)
- Trauma
A weakened immune system can also increase your chances of eye herpes reactivation, potentially leading to an outbreak.
How to Diagnose Eye Herpes?
The diagnosis is made by your eye doctor (often an ophthalmologist). This is accomplished through thorough health history and eye exams. A slit lamp microscope may be used to examine your eye.
This enlarges the surface and interior of your eye. A dye will most likely be applied to the surface of your eye by your provider. This allows them to examine your cornea more closely but further testing is not always required.
In rare cases where cold sore treatments are not sufficient, your provider may send a small amount of eye tissue to a lab to see which medications would work for your herpes.
Possible Complications of Eye Herpes
Herpes eye disease can have serious consequences. A flare-up or cold sore can increase your risk of developing other eye infections. This is why your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotics to you.
This disease can sometimes leave permanent scars on your cornea. The cornea is frequently clear. However, scarring makes it cloudier (opaque). This can result in vision loss. If this is serious, you may require a corneal transplant (from a deceased donor) to restore your vision.
Herpes eye disease can also cause an increase in intraocular pressure. You may be required to use specialized eye drops on top of cold sore treatments over the counter.
In rare cases, it can also cause infection of your brain and surrounding tissues.
Tips When Visiting Herpes Eye Healthcare Provider
Tips for getting the most out of a visit to your healthcare provider:
- Know why you’re visiting and what you want to happen.
- Make a list of the questions you want answered before your visit.
- Bring someone with you to assist you in asking questions and remembering what your provider says.
- During the visit, note any new diagnoses, medications, cold sore treatments, or tests. Make a note of any new instructions you receive from your provider.
- Understand why a new medicine or treatment has been prescribed for you and how it will benefit you. Also, be aware of the potential side effects of any cold sore treatments over the counter.
- Inquire about alternative treatments for your condition.
- Understand why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results may imply.
- Know what to expect if you do not take medicine or have a test or procedure.
- If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
How to Prevent Eye Herpes
While there is no proven way of preventing eye herpes or cold sores, all you can do is take some precautions to avoid eye herpes or cold sores.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is to keep your hands and eyes clean. It is the most important factor when you have cold sores. Furthermore, if you or someone around has an outbreak, it’s imperative that you refrain from touching your eyes.
Follow your eye doctor’s contact lens care recommendations if you wear contacts. However, do not wear them longer than recommended. Moreover, do not wear them while swimming, as chemicals and germs in the water can:
- Damage the lens,
- Irritate your eyes, and
- Cause an infection in contact lens wearers.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, cold sores caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2 can cause vision problems. If these problems are untreated, they can often cause blindness or permanent vision loss.
However, besides proper hygiene and a healthy diet, you should also use over-the-counter cold sore treatment and eye herpes. This will help you in minimizing irritation and will make your vision better.
