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Review
. 2012 Sep;57(5):448-62.
doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2012.01.005. Epub 2012 Apr 28.

Herpes simplex epithelial and stromal keratitis: an epidemiologic update

Asim V Farooq  1 , Deepak Shukla
Affiliations
Review

Herpes simplex epithelial and stromal keratitis: an epidemiologic update

Asim V Farooq et al. Surv Ophthalmol. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is associated with a variety of ocular diseases, including epithelial and stromal keratitis. HSV can cause stromal opacification and is believed to be the leading cause of infectious blindness in the developed world. An improved understanding of the global burden of HSV keratitis, including the incidence of severe vision loss, could have a significant effect on prevention and treatment and place it in perspective among causes of corneal ulceration. We found that the global incidence of HSV keratitis is roughly 1.5 million, including 40,000 new cases of severe monocular visual impairment or blindness each year. We also discuss relevant epidemiologic issues regarding HSV epithelial and stromal disease.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic for HSV ocular infection, latency, and recurrence. HSV travels retrograde along the ophthalmic division of the fifth cranial nerve after ocular infection or via other routes after extraocular infection to develop latency in trigeminal ganglia. It also may develop latency locally in the cornea.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Herpes simplex virus keratitis: epidemiological observations.
    Galvis V, Tello A, Revelo ML, Carreño NI. Galvis V, et al. Surv Ophthalmol. 2013 May-Jun;58(3):286-7. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2013.02.003. Surv Ophthalmol. 2013. PMID: 23597662 No abstract available.
  • Authors' response.
    Farooq AV, Shukla D. Farooq AV, et al. Surv Ophthalmol. 2013 May-Jun;58(3):287. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2013.02.002. Surv Ophthalmol. 2013. PMID: 23597663 No abstract available.

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