How to Diagnose Herpetic Eye Disease

When people hear about herpes, they usually don't think of the eye problems that the virus can cause. However, herpetic eye disease can be a serious and painful condition that occurs in people infected with the herpes virus. If you suspect that you have a form of herpetic eye disease, you need to seek out a diagnosis from a doctor.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Note your symptoms. Herpetic eye disease can cause pain in the eye, usually in only one of the eyes. Additional symptoms can include redness, swelling and a rash around the eyelids.

2. Get tested for the herpes virus. If you know that you have herpes, then you can let the doctor know and make it easier for him to diagnose the herpetic eye disease.

3. Call your doctor to discuss your symptoms. She may want to perform an eye exam to check out the external appearance of your eyes and confirm the symptoms that you have reported.

4. Allow a special dye to be put into your eye. A dye called fluorescein can be placed on the surface of the eye. The doctor will then use an ultraviolet light to see the areas affected by the virus.

5. Find out the type of herpetic eye disease that you have. One form of herpetic eye disease is caused by the same virus that triggers chickenpox and shingles. When this virus affects the eye, it is called herpes zoster ophthalmicus. The herpetic eye disease caused by herpes simplex is called herpes simplex keratitis.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you have herpetic eye disease, it can reoccur throughout your lifetime. Outbreaks increase in frequency after the second time herpetic eye disease occurs.
• You must get a diagnosis of herpetic eye disease as soon as possible. If left untreated, permanent scarring in the eye can occur.

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