HSV-1, Dry eye? Something else?

[Loki117]

I contracted genital HSV-1 about 4 months ago from oral sex. About 4 weeks later I started to get a bloodshot eye stemming from my tear duct toward my iris this gradually got worse until it was a noticeable bloodshot eye. My 2nd eye started to do the same becoming bloodshot. I went to the docs said it was mild conjunctivitis but I had no discharge and my eyes weren

[Loki117]

Thanks i'll put my worry to rest and try and deal with the irritation to the sun I am very fair skinned I have red hair it's just confusing as this is the first year I have seen any issues with the sun.

[EyeForumMD]

I don't think those things are relevant.

JCH MD

[Loki117]

Oh I should also point out I have had another mild occurance of GHSV-1 since my eye problems and this didnt seem to have any effect on my eyes. Also the eye problems first occured after a 2 hour flight and a shower in a forign country. If this helps any.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Hi Loki117    Your symptoms do not suggest recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 eye infection or complications (keratitis, iritis). So I would concentrate on the genital herpes and trying to prevent reoccurence.    There are a number of things that might cause the eye symptoms you describe, none of them are terribly serious. By the way when the doctor looked at your cornea he/she was looking for 'dendrites' (not bendrics), which is a characteristic leaf shaped mark on the surface of the cornea.

The sun is hard on your eyes just like your skin. Especially in fair complexion individuals sun exposure can cause the eyes to be red and irritated. The treatment for this is UV blocking sunglasses and some sort of a hat with a bill. If you eyes are feeling dry, burning, or otherwise irritated a trial of artificial tears (over the counter) would be helpful.

If your problem reoccurs be sure to follow up with whichever of the ophthalmologists (EyeMDs) you feel most comfortable with.  Again I do not think your problem is due to herpetic eye disease.

JCH MD