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What Are The Chances Of Transmission Of Herpes Infection In Eyes To Lips?
Question: Hoping this will reach Dr. Dadapeer K.,
I discussed my previous question to you also with another doctor and they actually finally answered me today and gave me a different response which has reintroduced the worry to me and I wanted your opinion since your an ophthalmologist and they were not. I will share below with you what they shared with me in hopes that you can shed some light on the subject for me and help me to know what to do with my future.
http://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/viral-keratitis.html
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/eye_herpes/page10_em.htm#prevention_and_outlook
http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/adult_health/oph_herpes_simplex_eye_infections/
http://patient.info/health/herpes-simplex-eye-infection
i have been reading up on the use of contact lenses for a person predisposed to cold sores, if you will review the above websites you will find my sources.
I could infer that a person having cold sores could have a chance of getting herpes infection of the eye, but it doesn't mean that everyone having cold sores will get infection of the eye. its a chance.
Contact lenses can increase the risk of getting herpetic infection of the eye but its use is not contraindicated. It is to be surely avoided in case of an active cold sore infection or active herpetic eye infection.
Hence if its alright with you to not wear and you dont want to wear them, that would surely help in prevention but inspite the virus could still cause infection in the eye if it has to.
That was his response to the same question that i just previously asked you a few days ago. I just want to know what i should do Dr?? Throw my contact lenses away or continue wearing them as usual??
I discussed my previous question to you also with another doctor and they actually finally answered me today and gave me a different response which has reintroduced the worry to me and I wanted your opinion since your an ophthalmologist and they were not. I will share below with you what they shared with me in hopes that you can shed some light on the subject for me and help me to know what to do with my future.
http://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/viral-keratitis.html
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/eye_herpes/page10_em.htm#prevention_and_outlook
http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/adult_health/oph_herpes_simplex_eye_infections/
http://patient.info/health/herpes-simplex-eye-infection
i have been reading up on the use of contact lenses for a person predisposed to cold sores, if you will review the above websites you will find my sources.
I could infer that a person having cold sores could have a chance of getting herpes infection of the eye, but it doesn't mean that everyone having cold sores will get infection of the eye. its a chance.
Contact lenses can increase the risk of getting herpetic infection of the eye but its use is not contraindicated. It is to be surely avoided in case of an active cold sore infection or active herpetic eye infection.
Hence if its alright with you to not wear and you dont want to wear them, that would surely help in prevention but inspite the virus could still cause infection in the eye if it has to.
That was his response to the same question that i just previously asked you a few days ago. I just want to know what i should do Dr?? Throw my contact lenses away or continue wearing them as usual??
Brief Answer:
You can wear the contact lenses.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic.
Thank you for writing to me on Health care Magic.
I reviewed your history and the web sites you mentioned. I can understand your concerns, but no need to be worried.
With my clinical experience I can assure you that chances of a person getting herpes infection of the eye from herpes infection of the lips is very rare and no need to be worried about them. The only precaution you need to take is when you are having herpes infection of the lips you need to avoid touching them or squeezing the lesions as after touching these infected lesions if you touch eyes or any other mucous membranes you can transfer the infection.
Other then this the chances of getting spontaneous eye infection from lip infection is not possible.
Hence you can wear the contact lenses and you can avoid them only when you are having active infection of the lips.
Hope this information is helpful to you and this answers your question.
Thank you
You can wear the contact lenses.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic.
Thank you for writing to me on Health care Magic.
I reviewed your history and the web sites you mentioned. I can understand your concerns, but no need to be worried.
With my clinical experience I can assure you that chances of a person getting herpes infection of the eye from herpes infection of the lips is very rare and no need to be worried about them. The only precaution you need to take is when you are having herpes infection of the lips you need to avoid touching them or squeezing the lesions as after touching these infected lesions if you touch eyes or any other mucous membranes you can transfer the infection.
Other then this the chances of getting spontaneous eye infection from lip infection is not possible.
Hence you can wear the contact lenses and you can avoid them only when you are having active infection of the lips.
Hope this information is helpful to you and this answers your question.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So what this ofher doctor was describing and what these websites he shared with me were describing can happen, but is rare enough that i shouldnt need to give up my contacts? I knew that you just said the other day to me that i could wear them and i felt relief then this dermatologist shared those websites with me and shared his opinion which i also put up there for you to review and he honestly scared and worried me a little bit.
Brief Answer:
No need to be worried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
I reviewed your history.
No need to be worried as it is highly unlikely to have ocular herpes infection spreading from the nerve endings from herpes infection of lips.
The only possible route is by rubbing the active lesions with hand and rubbing the eyes.
Hence I advice you to avoid contact lenses only when you have active infection of the lips, otherwise you can use contact lenses.
Hope this answers your answers your question.
Thank you
No need to be worried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
I reviewed your history.
No need to be worried as it is highly unlikely to have ocular herpes infection spreading from the nerve endings from herpes infection of lips.
The only possible route is by rubbing the active lesions with hand and rubbing the eyes.
Hence I advice you to avoid contact lenses only when you have active infection of the lips, otherwise you can use contact lenses.
Hope this answers your answers your question.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you doctor that helps!
Brief Answer:
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to me on Health care Magic
With regards
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to me on Health care Magic
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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