In the scorching summer, amidst crowds enjoying water play and vacations, an unwelcome guest threatens our eye health: the highly contagious herpes virus. It can easily spread through simple contact, and particular caution is needed as the latent virus can reactivate and cause various eye diseases, especially when immunity is lowered.
Increased Infection Risk in Summer: What is Herpes Virus?
Herpes virus, also known as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), remains latent in our bodies for life once infected. It's broadly divided into Type 1 (HSV-1) and Type 2 (HSV-2), with Type 1 primarily infecting the eyes, lips, and skin. The infection routes are diverse. Transmission can occur through direct contact with an infected person, such as kissing, sharing towels, or touching the eyes with contaminated hands. In summer, the risk of infection is particularly high in crowded places like swimming pools, water parks, and campgrounds, as the virus can easily spread through contaminated water or shared items.
Symptoms and Risks of Ocular Herpes Infection
When the herpes virus enters the eye, it can cause inflammation in various parts. Initially, inflammation occurs in the eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea, and in severe cases, it can penetrate deeper into eye tissues like the uvea and retina. Early symptoms often present as itchiness around the eyes or small blisters on the eyelids or mucous membranes, making it easy to mistake for a simple skin condition or common eye infection. However, if left untreated, symptoms gradually worsen, leading to dry eyes, a foreign body sensation, frequent tearing, and blurred vision.
Especially in the case of herpes keratitis, severe progression can lead to corneal ulcers or scarring, causing permanent vision loss. Recurrent herpes keratitis can cause corneal opacity, ultimately leading to blindness, making early detection and prompt treatment extremely crucial.
Treatment and Prevention of Ocular Herpes
Treatment for eye diseases caused by herpes infection varies depending on the specific part of the eye infected and the severity of symptoms. If the corneal surface is infected, symptoms can be alleviated with antiviral eye drops or ointments, or oral antiviral medications. If the inflammation occurs deeper than the corneal surface, more aggressive treatment such as steroid eye drops, therapeutic contact lenses, or antibiotics may be required.
The most important way to prevent herpes virus infection is to avoid touching your eyes with contaminated hands. Always practice thorough hand hygiene, and if you have small blisters or cold sores around your mouth or on your skin, which could be caused by the herpes virus, be especially careful not to rub your eyes with hands that have touched those areas.
Furthermore, for those who have already experienced herpes infection, it is essential to manage immunity through sufficient rest and balanced nutrition to prevent recurrence. Stress, overwork, and lack of sleep are major causes of weakened immunity, so it's important to avoid these and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Hwang Kyu-yeon, a specialist at Kim's Eye Hospital's Cornea Center, emphasized, "If the herpes virus infects the eye and recurs repeatedly, it can affect vision, so caution is needed." He added, "If your eyes are itchy or inflamed after visiting crowded places, it is important to visit an ophthalmologist immediately for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment." In the enjoyment of summer water play and vacations, attention and effort are needed to protect our eyes from the herpes virus.
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