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Can HSV-2 Causing Genital Herpes Affect The Eyes?

Posted on Mon, 4 Sep 2017

Question: Hello! I am concerned I spread a herpes infection to my eye. I touched a potential genital outbreak, then touched my eye without washing it first. I have been freaking out since. All I have experienced is some eye pain- no redness, discharge or excess tearing. Everything I have read about blindness is scaring me...I have an annual eye exam set up in Early October. Please let me know the chances of this. I read that it is mostly from HSV1. Thanks so much.

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Rule out possible ocular herpes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HCM

Ocular/eye herpes is usually caused by HSV1 (virus causing cold sores).
However, HSV 2 causing genital herpes can also affect the eye. Even though the possibility is very rare, there is still a possibility.
Since you have history of touching eye after coming in contact with active sores and later developed eye pain, I would recommend following up with an ophthalmologist.
Pain can be the only first sign before actually developing redness, irritation etc. Initiation of early treatment is very important in preventing the spread of infection.

You do not have to worry about blindness at this point. Blindness is a risk only in patients with repeated episodes of ocular Herpes leading to corneal scarring. A single episode will usually not cause such complications.

A slit lamp examination by an Ophthalmologist is recommended to rule out possible ocular herpes.
Treatment of ocular herpes is with topical antivirals like Zovirax (Aciclovir) eye ointment, Virgan (Ganciclovir) eye gel. Sometimes oral antivirals may also be needed depending on the depth and severity of the infection.
Do not apply over the counter steroid drops on the eye as it can worsen the infection.
You can also take Advil for pain.

Hope this answers your questions
Please address further questions here
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (25 minutes later)

Thanks for taking the time to answer me!

Just a few follow up points.

I am prone to health anxiety so I am not sure if the "eye pain" is from this or my anxiety. The eye pain is not persistent and comes and go. It is also not too painful. It also occurs in both not one.

Also, there was only one instance where I touched my eye after. I attempted to make an eye appointment but they were pretty booked for a while. I schedule one on October 9 for my annual eye exam.

If I do not have any further redness, irritation etc do you think I am safe to wait for this appointment. I know you recommended following up with one soon but my hope was that I could just wait for this one, which is two months away.

Please let me know any additional thoughts you have on these points.

Thanks so much!

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up answer

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

If you had touched only one eye after coming in contact with Herpes sore, then the pain you are noticing in both eyes is unlikely to be Herpes.
Anxiety about possible ocular infection could trigger such symptoms.
You can wait and see if the pain goes away on its own. Do not stress about the possibility of infection.
However, if you notice worsening pain, development of eye irritation, redness, itching or watering please follow up with the emergency room.

Hope this answers your questions
Please address further questions here
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad