Hi Doc,
Me again- so sorry to keep asking more info, but I AM having decreased visual acuity in both eyes and have seen 2 ophthalmologists both of whom can find nothing abnormal. Rash has since spread on my face and derm insists not herpes b/c no blisters. Where do I go from here? What else besides dendritic lesions or corneal ulcers should they be looking for? Sorry again to keep begging your assistance, but I'm terrified I'm going to end up blind. As mentioned, I don't even get full blown blisters when I get my cold sores, just the burning tingly thing. What should I do? I'm so scared......
i'm sorry, i didnt answer all of your questions. can it cause blindness? sometimes it causes some pretty good scarring, which could result in poor acuity...so yes, it can cause blindness.
but USUALLY NOT.
there is no one symptom that is diagnostic of HVS keratitis that would distinguish it from any other red eye.
there are SIGNS that would distinguish it from other red eyes, but you'd have to pretty much be an eye doctor, and have the right equipment (slit lamp), *and* know what you're looking for. and even then its tough.
you dont have keratitis. but HSV keratitis symptoms are exactly the same as the symptoms of every "red eye":
pain, watering, redness, light sensitivity, blur, etc etc.
Hi Doc,
Thanks for the prompt reply. Can you please clarify what exactly are the symptoms of HSV keratitis and how dangerous is it? Can it result in blindness? Thanks again for all of your help.
yes, could still be HSV.
simplex keratitis is very painful however. plus the ophthal. would not have missed a raging keratitis, so i doubt that is what is causing you to feel like you are losing sharpness.
there's no real fix for HSV/HSV keratitis anyway...its usually recurrent, treatment varies, many different opinions on how & what to do for it.