Eye Problems Archives

red eye to herpes virus

A relative has developed a condition in which the white of her eye becomes blood red. It causes discomfort and itching, and I believe her eye is sensitive to light. She went to her opthamalogist who believes it's caused by a herpes virus. She was given some drops that cleared up the condition. However, the condition has returned for a third time -- the second time, the same medication was used to clear up the condition. The doctor believes it is being brought back by stress. So, apparently, the virus has remained in her system.

Two questions:

1. Is the condition contagious? The doctor won't confirm or deny this -- maybe he doesn't know for sure.

2. Could the cause be something other than a herpes virus?

Thanks, TC

Follow Ups:

• Re: red eye to herpes virus (Archive in eye problems.) Walt Stoll 15:56:29 9/30/00 (0)

In Reply to: red eye to herpes virus posted by Tom Calarco on September 29, 2000 at 12:51:50:

Hi, Tom.

This is an especially dangerous condition. When it either does not respond to treatment, or becomes recurrent, it frequently causes blindness.

The very best thing for your friend to do is to get serious about a wellness program so as to improve her immunity. In the meantime she needs to continue with conventional treatment since that is the best short term hope she has to prevent the scarring of the cornea this infection eventualy will cause.

It is contagious only in a person whose immunity is also compromised.

Since this is one of the easiest diagnoses to make by just looking in the eye, it is unlikely that the diagnosis is wrong.

More?

Walt