Herpes on the eye: treatment, causes, medications

Why does herpes occur near the eye? The causes of this disease will be discussed below. Also we will present the symptoms of ophthalmoherpes and the medications that treat this disease.

general information

Herpes (on the eyelid, this pathology occurs infrequently) is a viral disease. It is characterized by the precipitation of vesicles (grouped) on mucous membranes and skin.

The name of the term in question is of Greek origin. In translation into Russian, it means "creeping", or "rapidly spreading skin disease".

Description of the disease

Herpes virus on the eyes is not manifested as often as, for example, on the lips, in the nasal mucosa or on the genitals. At the same time, this illness is very difficult.

In addition to the listed parts of the body, the herpes virus can affect the central nervous system, which will cause the development of meningitis and encephalitis. Also internal organs are affected by this disease.

Types of viruses

Herpes, under the eye, arose, refers to the first type. Also, herpes simplex virus can affect lips, nose and other skin areas.

In the second type of this disease genital areas are affected.

Also distinguish the varicella-zoster virus (3 types). Shingles appear on the human body. As for such a childhood illness as chickenpox, it is observed throughout the body.

The Epstein-Barr virus belongs to the fourth type. It causes such an infectious disease as mononucleosis.

Cytomegalovirus is a disease of the fifth type.

Causes

Why does the herpes on the eye occur (treatment of this disease will be presented below)? There are many disputes on this score. It is not possible to name any one cause of such unpleasant rashes. This is due to the fact that herpes can occur due to a number of different factors.

Experts argue that the virus in question is present in the body of all people. And for the time being, the human immune system resists this disease. The virus that has fallen on the mucous membrane of the eye is very rare. This is due to the fact that the visual organs are able to independently produce interferon, that is, proteins secreted by tissue cells in response to the intrusion of harmful bacteria.

It should also be noted that the tissues of the eye are protected by so-called immunoglobulins, which are contained in the lacrimal fluid. Herpes on the eyes, the symptoms of which will be described below, may not appear for a long time and "sleep" in the nerve nodes.

If for some reason the human immune system is significantly weakened, then the herpes virus begins to actively strengthen and manifest itself in the form of an ophthalmoherpes.

Thus, it can be safely noted that the main and main reason for the development of this disease is reduced immunity. In connection with the above, the question arises as to why the human immune system gives such failures? Doctors say that the decrease in body defenses occurs in response to the following situations:

• infectious diseases;
• Supercooling;
• Stress;
• Prolonged exposure to the sun;
• Getting injured eyes;
• Taking certain drugs (eg, immunosuppressants or cytotoxic drugs);
• Period of pregnancy.

If one of these factors contributes to a decrease in immunity, then the dormant herpes virus "wakes up" to this point, and then exits to the surface of the skin or mucosa in the form of grouped vesicles.

It should be specially noted that this variant of the development of the disease is called endogenous. There is also an exogenous path. For him, infection is characterized directly through herpetic vesicles. As you know, they contain a liquid, which in large concentrations includes viruses. Once on the skin or mucous membrane of the eyes, there is an instant infection.

This path is especially typical for young children who are constantly in contact with each other.

Signs of the disease

How does herpes manifest itself? Symptoms of this disease is quite difficult not to notice. Although in some cases it is confused with an allergy or a disease that is of bacterial origin (for example, conjunctivitis, blepharitis or bacterial keratitis).

It should be noted that all listed pathological conditions, however, like ophthalmoherpes, are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Redness of the eyelid and eye;
• photophobia;
• Soreness;
• Violation of visual acuity and distortion;
• Lacrimation.

One can not help saying that local symptoms of a viral illness can be supplemented by common, including headache, increased lymph nodes, nausea and fever.

Specific symptoms

So how to identify herpes on the eye, which treatment should be conducted only by an experienced doctor? This disease has specific symptoms. They include the following:

• Unbearable itching and burning of the skin on the eyelids, as well as around the eyes;
• The presence of bubbles filled with liquid, which burst and ulcerate.

Forms of ophthalmoherpes

The disease under consideration is characterized by a huge number of manifestations. In this case, the symptoms with relapses may be quite different.

Specialists distinguish the following forms of ocular herpes (depending on the damage to the tissues of the visual organs):

• Herpetic conjunctivitis. With this disease, the conjunctiva is affected, that is, a thin film of the epithelium that covers the inner part of the eyelids and the eyeball. As a rule, this defeat is accompanied by redness of the whole eye.
• Keratitis. This disease, characterized by the defeat of the cornea, which appear viral vesicles.
• Blephar-conjunctivitis. In contrast to herpetic conjunctivitis, an inflammatory process is added to the conjunctival lesion, as well as the formation of vesicles on the eyelids and along the line of eyelash growth. Rashes may appear even on the inner surface of the eyelids. Usually, there is a strong lacrimation, as well as sharp pain in the eye.
• Keratoiidocyclitis is an inflammation of the cornea, which is accompanied by a lesion of the vessels in the visual organ. This form of the disease is the heaviest. It is very difficult to cure. In this case keratoiridocyclitis is repeated again and again.

Diagnosis of the disease

How to cure herpes on the eye? Treatment of this disease should appoint an ophthalmologist. However, first the disease should be properly diagnosed. This is due to the fact that the symptoms of such a pathological condition are often confused with signs of other abnormalities.

For the diagnosis of ocular herpes, the patient should consult an ophthalmologist. The doctor is obliged to conduct an examination of the patient using a slit lamp. Such a study makes it possible to identify ulceration and other corneal lesions, as well as inflammatory processes in the eye vessels.

Also under stationary conditions, a scraping of cells from the affected skin or mucosa is performed. Later it is studied by means of a luminescent microscope.

Another way to diagnose the disease in question is the enzyme immunoassay. It allows to detect the presence of antibodies to the virus in humans.

All of the listed methods of diagnosis are used only when the vessels and the cornea of the eye are affected. As for the herpetic lesion of the mucous membrane of the visual organs and the skin of the eyelids, it is noticeable without examination.

Herpes on the eyelids is characterized by rashes (often multiple) in the form of small bubbles filled with lymph, that is, a fluid that eventually becomes turbid. Such blisters are very painful and itch. If you comb the eruptions, they spread even more.

Ophthalmoherpes: treatment

How should I treat ocular herpes? According to experts, the type of therapy for such a disease depends on its form. If the virus has infected only superficial tissues, then drugs are used that relieve unpleasant sensations in the visual organs, as well as suppress the activity of herpes.

On the pharmaceutical market, there are 4 types of medicines that are used for the complex treatment of ophthalmoherpes. They include the following:

• Immunomodulating agents;
• Antiviral (for example, "Zovirax-ointment");
• Specific immunopreparations (eg, herpes vaccine);
• Symptomatic means, including decongestants, painkillers, vitamins, etc.

In the event that the virus touches the deeper tissues of the eye, the patient is surgically intervened. Such types of operations, as coagulation, keratoplasty and others, allow localizing or removing the affected areas.

Antiviral drugs

How to eliminate herpes on the eye? The treatment of this ailment is most often carried out by antiviral agents. To do this, use special forms of drugs that are not capable of irritating the mucous membrane of the visual organs.

To suppress the excessive activity of the herpes virus, doctors recommend the use of eye drops and ointments. Also, for systemic exposure, patients are often prescribed antiviral injections and tablets.

Which medications are most effective in treating ophthalmoherpes? Specialists distinguish the following drugs:

• Acyclovir. When the eye is affected, the medication in question is used in the form of oral tablets, as well as in the form of a local ointment.
• "Valaciclovir." For the treatment of ocular herpes, this drug is used in the form of tablets.
• "Zoviraks" is ophthalmic ointment, which is very effective against herpes simplex viruses. After its use, the active substance of the preparation is immediately absorbed by the eye and epithelium of the cornea. As a result, a concentration of the drug is formed in the intraocular fluid, which is necessary for active suppression of the virus.
• "Oftan-IMU", "Idoksuridin" - such funds are specially designed for the treatment of ophthalmoherpes. They are released in the form of droplets, which contain an analogue of thymine. The medicament in question does not allow the virus to multiply, and also suppresses its activity. For best effectiveness, drops should be digested every hour. However, with prolonged use, they can cause damage to the cornea.
• "Trifluorothymidine" is a drop similar to "Oftan-IMU". However, it should be noted that they have a less toxic effect.
• "Ryodoksol", "Tebrofen", "Bonaphoton" - all these preparations have the form of ointments. They can be applied to the skin of the eyelids, as well as laying the eyes inside.
• "Vidarabine" is an effective gel against ophthalmoherpes. It is applied to the conjunctiva 5 times a day.

Eye drops «Ophthalmoferon»: instruction

Which antiviral drug works most effectively with ocular herpes? Experts say that they are drops of "Ophthalmoferon". Their price is about 300 rubles, so almost everyone can acquire such a tool.

This drug contains diphenhydramine and interferon alfa-2a. It is available in polymer bottles-droppers, which are placed in cardboard packs.

Antiviral drops from lacrimation "Ophthalmoferon" have a wide spectrum of action. In addition to anti-inflammatory properties, such a drug exhibits immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, local anesthetic and regenerative effects.

At what indications are the medicines prescribed for patients? According to the instruction, it is used when:

• Adenoviral, herpetic keratitis ;
• Hemorrhagic, adenoviral and herpetic conjunctivitis;
• Hepertic stromal keratitis without ulceration and ulceration of the cornea;
• Herpetic uveitis;
• Herpetic and adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis;
• Herpetic keratouveitis (without and with ulceration).

As for contraindications, this means they are practically absent. Use these drops is not possible only with individual intolerance of their components.

How should I apply Ophthalmoferon? The dosage of this topical medication should be determined by an ophthalmologist. In the acute stage, it is instilled in the affected eye with 1-2 drops up to 7-8 times a day. Once the inflammatory process begins to stop, the number of instillations is reduced to 2-3 times a day.

The course of treatment with this drug is determined by the doctor. As a rule, the use of the drug is continued until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely.

Prevention of ocular herpes

The main set of preventive actions for ophthalmoherpes should be aimed at interrupting the transmission routes of the virus. Thus, a person should refuse close contacts with a patient, do not use the same dishes, towels and cosmetics with him, and carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene in the presence of other forms of herpes.

As for pregnant women infected with genital herpes, they are prescribed special treatment, and then spend intensive processing of the birth canal to avoid infection of the baby as it passes through them.

If herpes occur too often, then vaccinate with a special anti-herpetic solution. Also, the patient is administered immunomodulating drugs under careful medical supervision.

To prevent possible development of the virus, potential patients should always adjust their diet. In addition, during the cold season they need to take multivitamin preparations. The patient is also shown exercise and hardening procedures, which will increase the immunity, and therefore prevent the appearance of rashes.