Why does herpes occur near the eye? The causes of this disease will be discussed below. We will also present the symptoms of ophthalmoherpes and drugs that treat this disease.
General information
Herpes (this pathology occurs infrequently on the eyelid) is a viral disease. It is characterized by eruption of vesicles (clustered) on 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 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. At the same time, such an ailment 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. Internal organs are also affected by this disease.
Types of viruses
Herpes, which appeared under the eye, belongs to the first type. The herpes simplex virus can also infect the lips, nose, and other skin areas.
The second type of this disease affects the genital area.
The varicella-zoster virus (3 types) is also distinguished. Shingles appears on the human body. As for such a childhood disease as chickenpox, it is observed throughout the body.
Epstein-Barr virus belongs to the fourth type. It causes an infectious disease called mononucleosis.
Cytomegalovirus is a type 5 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 controversy about this. It is not possible to name any one reason for the occurrence of such unpleasant rashes. This is because 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. And for the time being, the human immune system resists this disease. The virus, which has got on the mucous membrane of the eye, spreads very rarely. 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 also be noted that the tissues of the eye are protected by the 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 one reason or another the human immune system is noticeably weakened, thenthe herpes virus begins to actively strengthen and manifest itself in the form of ophthalmic herpes.
Thus, we can safely say 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 of why the human immune system gives such failures? 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 injury;
- taking certain medications (such as immunosuppressants or cytostatics);
- pregnancy period.
If one of these factors contributes to a decrease in immunity, then the “dormant” until this moment the herpes virus “wakes up”, and then comes to the surface of the skin or mucous membrane in the form of grouped bubbles.
It should be especially noted that this variant of the development of the disease is called endogenous. There is also an exogenous way. For him, infection is characteristic directly through herpetic vesicles. As you know, they contain liquid, which includes viruses in high concentrations. Once on the skin or mucous membrane of the eyes, an instant infection occurs.
This path is especially common for young children who are constantly in contact with each other.
Signs of illness
How does herpes appear before the eyes? The symptoms of this disease are quite difficult not tonotice. Although in some cases it is confused with an allergy or a disease that has a bacterial origin (for example, conjunctivitis, blepharitis or bacterial keratitis).
It should be noted that all of the listed pathological conditions, however, like ophthalmic herpes, are accompanied by the following symptoms:
- redness of the eyelid and eyes;
- photophobia;
- soreness;
- impaired visual acuity and distortion;
- lacrimation.
It should also be said that 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 detect herpes on the eye, the treatment of which should only be carried out by an experienced doctor? This disease also has specific symptoms. These include the following:
- unbearable itching and burning of the skin on the eyelids and around the eyes;
- presence of fluid-filled blisters that burst and ulcerate.
Forms of ophthalmic herpes
The disease in question is distinguished by a huge number of manifestations. At the same time, the symptoms of relapses can 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 such a disease, the conjunctiva is affected, that is, a thin film of the epithelium that covers the inside of the eyelids and the eyeApple. 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, an inflammatory process is added to the lesion of the conjunctiva, as well as the formation of vesicles on the eyelids and along the eyelash growth line. Rashes can appear even on the inner surface of the eyelids. Usually, there is severe tearing, as well as sharp pains in the eye.
- Keratoiridocyclitis is an inflammation of the cornea, which is accompanied by damage to the vessels in the visual organ. This form of the disease is the most severe. It is very difficult to cure her. In this case, keratoiridocyclitis repeats again and again.
Diagnosis of disease
How to cure herpes on the eye? Treatment of this disease should be prescribed by an ophthalmologist. However, the disease must first 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.
To diagnose ocular herpes, the patient needs to see an ophthalmologist. The doctor is obliged to examine the patient using a slit lamp. Such a study allows to identify ulcers 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 through a fluorescent microscope.
One morethe method of diagnosing the disease in question is enzyme immunoassay. It allows you to detect the presence of antibodies to the virus in a person.
All of the above diagnostic methods are used only for damage to the vessels and the cornea of the eye. As for the herpetic lesions of the mucous membrane of the visual organs and the skin of the eyelids, it is noticeable even without examination.
Herpes on the eyelids is characterized by rashes (usually multiple) in the form of small vesicles filled with lymph, that is, a liquid that becomes cloudy over time. These blisters are very painful and itchy. If you scratch the rashes, they spread even more.
Ophthalmic herpes: treatment
How should ocular herpes be treated? According to experts, the type of therapy for such a disease depends on its form. If the virus has affected only superficial tissues, then drugs are used 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:
- immunomodulating agents;
- antiviral (for example, "Zovirax-ointment");
- specific immunotherapy (e.g. herpes vaccine);
- symptomatic drugs, 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 allowlocalize or remove the affected areas.
Antivirals
How to eliminate herpes on the eye? Treatment of this disease is most often carried out with antiviral agents. To do this, use special forms of drugs 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 eye herpes, this drug is used in the form of tablets.
- "Zovirax" - antiviral eye ointment, which is very effective against herpes simplex viruses. After its use, the active substance of the drug is immediately absorbed by the periocular tissues and corneal epithelium. As a result, the concentration of the drug is formed in the intraocular fluid, which is necessary for the active suppression of the virus.
- "Oftan-IDU", "Idoxuridin" - such funds are specifically designed for the treatment of ophthalmic herpes. They are produced in the form of drops that contain an analogue of thymine. The drug in question does not allow the virus to multiply, and also suppresses its activity. For better efficiencydrops must be instilled every hour. However, prolonged use may cause damage to the cornea.
- "Trifluorothymidine" are drops similar to "Oftan-IDU". However, it should be noted that they are less toxic.
- "Riodoxol", "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.
Ophthalmoferon eye drops: instructions
Which antiviral drug works best for ocular herpes? Experts say that these are drops of "Ophthalmoferon". Their price is about 300 rubles, so almost everyone can buy 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 packs.
Antiviral drops from lacrimation "Ophthalmoferon" have a wide spectrum of action. In addition to anti-inflammatory properties, this drug exhibits immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, local anesthetic and regenerating effects.
For what indications is the medication in question prescribed to patients? According to the instructions, it is used when:
- adenoviral, herpetic keratitis;
- hemorrhagic, adenovirus and herpetic conjunctivitis;
- heperic stromalkeratitis without ulceration and with corneal ulceration;
- herpetic uveitis;
- herpetic and adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis;
- herpetic keratouveitis (without and with ulceration).
As for contraindications, this remedy has practically no contraindications. You can not use these drops only with individual intolerance to their components.
How should the Ophthalmoferon medication be used? The dosage of this topical medicine should be determined by an ophthalmologist. In the acute stage, it is instilled into the affected eye 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 medicine is continued until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely.
Prevention of eye herpes
The main set of preventive actions for ophthalmic herpes should be aimed at interrupting the transmission of the virus. Thus, a person is required to refuse close contact with the patient, not to use the same dishes, towels and cosmetics with him, and also to 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 given 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 toooften, they are vaccinated with a special antiherpetic solution. Also, the patient is administered immunomodulatory drugs under close medical supervision.
To prevent the possible development of the virus, potential patients should definitely adjust their diet. In addition, during the cold season, they need to take multivitamin preparations. Also, the patient is shown physical education and hardening procedures that will increase immunity, and therefore prevent the appearance of rashes.
