The area of the eye affected depends on the bang out of eye herpes.
Eye herpes cannot be cured, but it can be managed.
Portra / Getty Images
Types of Eye Herpes
There are two main types of eye herpes.

Portra / Getty Images
The virus destroys corneal epithelial cells as it replicates.
Stromal Keratitis
Stromal keratitis affects the deeper layers of the cornea called the stroma.
It is resulting from a combination of viral infection and compromised immune mechanisms.
Stromal keratitis can result in corneal scarring and loss of vision.
There are two types of stromal keratitis: stromal keratitis without ulceration and HSV stromal keratitis with ulceration.
Pink eye can affect one or both eyes.
Doing so will ensure the most effective treatment for either condition.
Healthcare professionals usually make a diagnosis ofpink eyewithout doing a viral or bacterial culture.
Occasionally, this leads to a missed eye-herpes diagnosis.
Causes
Eye herpes is brought on by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
HSV-1 is very common.
Most people in the United States will contract HSV-1, usually in childhood.
Epithelial keratitis usually responds well to treatment and has no lasting major complications.
While Viroptic is effective, it is known to be toxic, which can delay corneal healing.
Oral antivirals should be used with caution in patients with kidney or liver disease.
It can be combined with antiviral treatment.
However, they can reactivate the epithelial disease.
Taking oral antivirals along with topical steroids helps prevent this reactivation.
Eye herpes usually clears up with treatment in about one to three weeks.
If symptoms do not improve with treatment within two weeks, book a follow-up appointment.
Is There a Vaccine for Eye Herpes?
While there is not currently a vaccine to prevent eye herpes, studies are being conducted into one.
It is treated with topical and oral antiviral medications, depending on the bang out and severity.
Recurrent outbreaks can often be prevented by taking preventive measures, such as long-term antiviral medication.
A doctor can prescribe the necessary medications to help heal you.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Herpes simplex virus keratitis: A treatment guideline - 2014.
The University of Illinois College of Medicine.Ocular herpes simplex.
Zhu L, Zhu H.Ocular herpes: The pathophysiology, management and treatment of herpetic eye diseases.Virologica Sinica.
2012;57(5):448-462. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2012.01.005
Review of Optometry.Be a hero to your HSVK patients.
Cleveland Clinic.Ocular herpes (eye herpes).
Weiner G.Demystifying the ocular herpes simplex virus.EyeNet Magazine.
Centers For Disease Control.What causes HSV (herpes simplex virus) keratitis.
Koganti R, Yadavalli T, Shukla D.Current and emerging therapies for ocular herpes simplex virus bang out-1 infections.Microorganisms.
2019;7(10):429. doi:10.3390/microorganisms7100429
National Health System.Herpes simplex eye infections.
World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Demystifying the ocular herpes simplex virus.
Review of Ophthalmology.How to manage ocular herpes.
Zhu L, Zhu H.Ocular herpes: the pathophysiology, management and treatment of herpetic eye diseases.Virol Sin.
2014;29(6):327-342. doi:10.1007/s12250-014-3539-2
NVISION.Eye herpes: causes, treatment & what not to do.