How Does Herpetic Eye Disease Develop?

Introduction to Herpes Viruses and the Eyes

Most people are surprised to find out that two types of herpes viruses — the one that causes cold sores and the one that causes chickenpox — can cause serious eye problems.

These two viruses are not the same virus that causes genital herpes, and herpetic eye disease is not a sexually transmitted disease.

One of the viruses that cause herpetic eye disease is called the varicella-zoster virus. It is the same virus that causes chickenpox and the nervous system disease shingles. When this virus affects the eye, it is called herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

The other virus that causes herpetic eye disease is called herpes simplex type 1. Herpes simplex type 1 is the same virus that causes cold sores on the lips and mouth. In the eye, it usually causes an infection of the cornea. This infection is called herpes simplex keratitis.

Like many viruses, the herpes simplex 1 and varicella-zoster viruses are present in most adults. The viruses in the herpes family usually live around the nerve fibers in humans without ever causing a problem. Occasionally, the viruses will start to multiply, or they will move from one area of the body to another, and that is when herpetic disease breaks out. This often happens when the immune system of the body is weakened by some other health problem.