Baltimore eye
doctor and corneal
specialist Brad Spagnolo, M.D.
comments on Herpes Simplex eye infections. “Herpes Simplex eye infections affect
many more people each year than one might think. Ocular Herpes or Herpes of the eye is
caused by the Herpes Simplex virus and is the most common causes of
corneal blindness in the
United States today,” said Dr. Spagnolo of Baltimore Washington Eye Center. “Up
to 50% of people who have a single Herpes Simplex viral infection of the eye
will experience a flare up or recurrence. The virus often leads to irreversible
scarring of the cornea,” noted Dr.
Spagnolo.
Ocular Herpes may start as a painful sore on the eyelid or
surface of the eye. If left untreated, it may multiply and begin to destroy
epithelial cells and progress deeper into the Cornea. If the Ocular Herpes penetrates
the deeper layers of the Cornea and causes a Stromal Keratitis it
may cause corneal scarring-so prompt diagnosis and treatment of Ocular Herpes is
important.
It is estimated that 400,000 people in the United States have
had some type of Ocular Herpes, with more than 50,000 initial and recurring
cases being diagnosed each year. Of these, it is believed that 25% are the more
severe form of Herpes Stromal Keratitis. The recurrence of Herpes Simplex eye
infections is significant in that it appears to recur in about 10% of patients
with one year, 23% of patients within two years and 63% of patients within 20
years of their initial infection. Sometimes a recurrence can be prompted by
sunlight, stress, fevers or an unrelated eye injury. Quick diagnosis and
treatment is the key to avoiding corneal scarring, vision loss and the possible
need for a corneal transplant.
Baltimore Washington Eye Center is a leading eye care
practice serving the greater Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area that staffed by
a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and
administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, care
for cataracts including cataract
surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), LASIK Eye Surgery for vision
correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease, care for diseases of the
retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration (AMD) and
diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses,
eyewear and optical services. Baltimore
Washington Eye Center is conveniently located for patients from Arbutus, Carney,
Clarksville, Columbia, Dundalk, Edgemere, Essex, Ellicott City, Ferndale, Glen
Burnie, Kenwood, Laurel, Linthicum, Lutherville, Millersville, Odenton Owings
Mills, Reisterstown, Towson, Parkville, Randallstown, Rivera Beach, Pasadena,
Severna Park, South Gate and Woodlawn Maryland.
If you or someone you know is
experiencing any signs or symptoms of Corneal infection-especially if they have
had any trauma to their eyes-please call Baltimore Washington Eye
Center-800-495-3937 and request an immediate
appointment.