Why does herpes appear near the eye? The causes of this disease will be discussed below. We will also present the symptoms of ophthalmic herpes and the medications that treat this disease.
general information
Herpes (on the eyelid of the eye, this pathology occurs infrequently) is a viral disease. It is characterized by a rash of vesicles (grouped) on the mucous membranes and skin.
The name of the term in question is of Greek origin. Translated into Russian, it means “creeping”, or “rapidly spreading skin disease”.
Description of the disease
The herpes virus in the eyes does not appear as often as, for example, on the lips, in the nasal mucosa or on the genitals. Moreover, such an ailment is very difficult.
In addition to these parts of the body, the herpes virus can affect the central nervous system, which will cause the development of meningitis and encephalitis. Also, this disease is subject to internal organs.
Types of viruses
Herpes, which has arisen under the eye, belongs to the first type. Also, the herpes simplex virus can affect the lips, nose and other skin areas.
In the second type of such a disease, genital areas are affected.
The chickenpox virus (3 types) is also distinguished. Shingles appears on a person’s body. As for a childhood illness like chickenpox, it is observed throughout the body.
Epstein-Barr virus belongs to the fourth type. It causes an infectious disease such as mononucleosis.
Cytomegalovirus is a fifth type of disease.
Causes of occurrence
Why does herpes occur on the eye (the treatment of this disease will be presented below)? There is a lot of debate about this. It is not possible to name any one reason for the occurrence of such unpleasant rashes. This is due to the fact that herpes can occur due to a number of different factors.
Experts say that the virus in question is present in the body of all people. Moreover, for the time being, the human immune system confronts this disease. A virus that has spread to 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 invasion of harmful bacteria.
It should be noted that the eye tissue is protected by the so-called immunoglobulins, which are contained in the lacrimal fluid. Herpes in 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 one reason or another, the human immune system is noticeably weakened, then the herpes virus begins to actively strengthen and manifest itself in the form of ophthalmic herpes.
Thus, it can be safely noted that the main and main reason for the development of the disease in question is reduced immunity. In connection with the foregoing, the question arises as to why the human immune system gives such malfunctions? Doctors say that a decrease in the body's defenses occurs in response to the following situations:
- infectious diseases;
- hypothermia;
- stress
- prolonged exposure to the sun;
- eye injuries;
- taking certain drugs (e.g., immunosuppressants or cytostatics);
- period of pregnancy.
If one of these factors contributes to a decrease in immunity, then the herpes virus “dormant” until this moment “wakes up” and then comes to the surface of the skin or mucous membrane 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 pathway. For him, infection is characteristic directly through herpetic vesicles. As you know, they contain liquid, which in a large concentration includes viruses. Once on the skin or mucous membrane of the eyes, an instant infection occurs.
This path is especially characteristic for young children who are constantly in contact with each other.
Signs of illness
How does herpes appear in the eyes? Symptoms of this disease are quite difficult not to notice. Although in some cases it is confused with an allergy or illness that has a bacterial origin (for example, conjunctivitis, blepharitis or bacterial keratitis).
It should be noted that all of the above pathological conditions, however, like ophthalmic herpes, are accompanied by the following symptoms:
- redness of the eyelids and eyes;
- photophobia;
- soreness;
- violation of acuity and distortion of vision;
- lacrimation.
We can not say that the local symptoms of a viral disease can be supplemented by general ones, including headache, swollen lymph nodes, nausea and fever.
Specific symptoms
So how to identify herpes in the eye, the treatment of which should be carried out only by an experienced doctor? This disease also has specific symptoms. These include the following:
- intolerable itching and burning of the skin on the eyelids, as well as around the eyes;
- the presence of bubbles filled with liquid that burst and ulcerate.
Ophthalmic Herpes Forms
The disease in question is characterized by a huge number of manifestations. In this case, the symptoms of relapse can be quite different.
Specialists distinguish the following forms of ocular herpes (depending on damage to the tissues of the visual organs):
- Herpetic conjunctivitis. With such a disease, the conjunctiva is affected, that is, a thin film of the epithelium, which covers the inner part of the eyelids and the eyeball. As a rule, this lesion is accompanied by redness of the entire eye.
- Keratitis This is a disease characterized by damage to the cornea, on which viral vesicles appear.
- Blepharo-conjunctivitis. Unlike herpetic conjunctivitis, the inflammatory process is added to the defeat of the conjunctiva, as well as the formation of vesicles on the eyelids and along the line of eyelash growth. Rashes can appear even on the inner surface of the eyelids. Usually, there is severe lacrimation, as well as sharp pains in the eye.
- Keratoiridocyclitis is an inflammation of the cornea, which is accompanied by vascular damage in the visual organ. This form of the disease is the most severe. It is very difficult to cure. In this case, keratoiridocyclitis is repeated again and again.
Diagnosis of the disease
How to cure herpes in the eye? The treatment of this disease should be prescribed by an ophthalmologist. However, the disease should be properly diagnosed first. This is due to the fact that the symptoms of this pathological condition are often confused with signs of other abnormalities.
For the diagnosis of ocular herpes, the patient must consult an ophthalmologist. The doctor is obliged to examine the patient using a slit lamp. Such a study allows us to identify ulceration and other lesions of the cornea, as well as inflammatory processes in the eye vessels.
Also in stationary conditions, cells are scraped from the affected skin or mucous membrane. In the future, it is studied using a luminescent microscope.
Another way to diagnose the disease in question is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It allows you to detect the presence in humans of antibodies to the virus.
All these diagnostic methods are used only for damage to the vessels and cornea of the eye. As for the herpetic lesion of the mucous membrane of the visual organs and skin of the eyelids, it is noticeable without examination.
Herpes on the eyelids is characterized by rashes (often multiple) in the form of small vesicles filled with lymph, that is, a liquid that becomes cloudy over time. Such blisters are very painful and itchy. If you comb rashes, they spread even more.
Ophthalmic herpes: treatment
How should eye herpes be treated? According to experts, the type of treatment for such a disease depends on its form. If the virus affects only superficial tissues, then they use drugs that relieve discomfort in the visual organs, as well as suppress the activity of herpes.
There are 4 types of medicines on the pharmaceutical market that are used for the complex treatment of ophthalmic herpes. These include the following:
- immunomodulatory agents;
- antiviral (for example, "Zovirax ointment");
- specific immunopreparations (for example, a herpes vaccine);
- symptomatic agents, including decongestants, painkillers, vitamins, etc.
In the event that the virus affects the deeper tissues of the eye, the patient undergoes surgery. Such types of operations as coagulation, keratoplasty and others, allow you to localize or remove the affected area.
Antiviral agents
How to eliminate herpes in the eye? The treatment of this disease is most often carried out with antiviral agents. For this, special forms of drugs are used that are not able to irritate 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.
What drugs are most effective in the treatment of ophthalmic herpes? Specialists distinguish the following drugs:
- "Acyclovir." With eye damage, the medication in question is used in the form of oral tablets, as well as in the form of a local ointment.
- "Valacyclovir." For the treatment of ocular herpes, such a drug is used in the form of tablets.
- "Zovirax" is an antiviral ophthalmic ointment that is very effective against herpes simplex viruses. After its use, the active substance of the drug is immediately absorbed by periocular tissues and corneal epithelium. As a result of this, a concentration of the drug is formed in the intraocular fluid that is necessary for the active suppression of the virus.
- “Oftan-IMU”, “Idoxuridine” - such drugs are specifically intended for the treatment of ophthalmic herpes. They are available in the form of drops, which contain an analogue of thymine. The medication in question does not allow the virus to multiply, and also inhibits its activity. For better efficiency, drops should be instilled 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.
- "Riodoxolum", "Tebrofen", "Bonafton" - all of these drugs are in the form of an ointment. They can be applied to the skin of the eyelids, as well as laid inside the eye.
- Vidarabine is an effective gel against ophthalmic herpes. It is applied to the conjunctiva 5 times a day.
Eye drops "Ophthalmoferon": instruction
What antiviral drug works best for ocular herpes? Experts say that these are Ophthalmoferon drops. Their price is about 300 rubles, so almost everyone can purchase such a tool.
The medication in question contains diphenhydramine and interferon alfa-2a. It is available in polymer dropper bottles, which are placed in cardboard boxes.
Ophthalmoferon antiviral drops for lacrimation have a wide spectrum of action. In addition to anti-inflammatory properties, such a drug exhibits immunomodulating, antimicrobial, local anesthetizing and regenerating effects.
At what indications is the medication in question prescribed to patients? According to the instructions, it is used for:
- adenoviral, herpetic keratitis ;
- hemorrhagic, adenoviral and herpetic conjunctivitis;
- hepatic 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 remedy is practically absent. You can not use these drops only with individual intolerance to their components.
How should I use Ophthalmoferon? The dosage of this local medicine should be determined by an ophthalmologist. In the acute stage, it is instilled in the affected eye for 1-2 drops up to 7-8 times a day. As soon as 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 have completely disappeared.
Prevention of ocular herpes
The main set of preventive measures for ophthalmic herpes should be aimed at interrupting the transmission of the virus. Thus, a person needs to refuse close contact with the patient, not to use the same dishes, towels and cosmetics, as well as 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 intensive treatment of the birth canal is carried out in order to avoid infection of the baby during its passage through them.
If herpes occurs too often, then vaccination is carried out using a special antiherpetic solution. Also, immunomodulatory drugs are administered to the patient under close medical supervision.
To prevent the possible development of the virus, potential patients should definitely adjust their diet. In addition, in the cold season, they need to take multivitamin preparations. Also, the patient is shown physical education and hardening procedures that will improve immunity, and therefore, prevent the appearance of rashes.