How to Treat Herpetic Eye Disease

Herpetic eye disease can be a serious and painful condition that occurs in people infected with the herpes virus. Once you have received a herpetic eye disease diagnosis from your doctor, you can begin going over treatment options. The two forms of herpetic eye disease are herpes zoster ophthalmicus and herpes simplex keratitis.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Discuss the form of herpetic eye disease that you have with your doctor and the best course of treatment. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus and herpes simplex keratitis are often treated differently.

2. Take antiviral medications for herpes zoster ophthalmicus and herpes simplex keratitis. These are usually prescribed in pill form or given as eye drops.

3. Reduce the pressure in the eye by the use of corticosteroids. Since pain can be caused by herpes zoster ophthalmicus and herpes simplex keratitis, corticosteroids can reduce the pressure that occurs in the infected eye.

4. Find out about pupil dilation. Some doctors will dilate a person's eye as a form of treatment for herpetic eye disease. It is supposed to help reduce the pressure in the eye.

5. Use the medicine for the full course of treatment. Stopping when you are asymptomatic usually causes a recurrence of the disease.

Tips & Warnings

• You'll probably have to go in for follow up appointments while getting treated for herpetic eye disease. The doctor will want to see how you are responding to the medications.
• Antibiotics are not an effective treatment for herpetic eye disease. This is because the condition is caused by a virus.

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