What are the symptoms of herpes keratitis?

In general, symptoms of herpes keratitis may include redness and pain in the eye, photophobia with tearing, ocular congestion, blurred vision, and corneal ulcers. If any discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. The details are as follows:

1. Eye Redness and Pain

After the herpes virus infects the cornea, it may trigger an inflammatory response in the cornea, leading to symptoms such as redness and pain in the eye.

2. Photophobia and Tearing

The cornea is one of the most sensitive parts of the eye. When invaded by a virus, the sensitivity of its nerve endings increases, resulting in a stronger reaction to light stimulation, which may cause photophobia and excessive tearing.

3. Ocular Congestion

The inflammatory response caused by the virus may lead to dilation of blood vessels in the eye, increasing blood flow, thereby causing redness and swelling of the eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea.

4. Blurred Vision

Herpes keratitis may cause corneal opacity, thus affecting vision. The virus damages the corneal epithelium, forming ulcers or scars that interfere with the normal passage of light through the cornea into the eye, resulting in blurred or decreased vision.

5. Corneal Ulcer

Herpes virus infection may lead to the formation of corneal ulcers. These ulcers not only intensify pain but may also leave permanent scarring, severely impairing vision.

When symptoms of herpes keratitis occur, patients may use medications such as prednisolone acetate tablets, methylprednisolone tablets, and acyclovir eye drops under the guidance of a qualified physician to alleviate symptoms. In daily life, maintaining a light diet and avoiding spicy or irritating foods—such as Sichuan pepper and chili peppers—is beneficial for overall health.