Herpes Simplex Eye Infections
Possible complications
Source: NHS
In this topic (6)
Herpes simplex eye infections don't usually cause further problems if they're treated promptly, but about one in five cases are more serious and carry a higher risk of complications.
These can include:
- scarring of your cornea(the front of your eye) this can cause permanent blurred vision and may require a cornea transplant (an operation to replace the cornea)
- a further eye infectioncaused bybacteria or fungi
- glaucoma (where the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain, becomes damaged)
- permanentvisionloss although the vast majority of people won't experienceany significant loss of vision
It's also likely the infection will return at some point. Most people will experience more than one infection, with about one in five having a recurrence within a year.
