Current Concepts in the Management of Herpes Simplex Anterior Segment Eye Disease

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infects the majority of the world’s population during their lifetime. The prevalence of HSV primarily depends on geographic location, socioeconomic status, and age. HSV ocular disease rarely manifests as primary disease and most commonly as a recurrent disease. Recurrent HSV affects all the anterior segment structures in various clinical forms. In the cornea, HSV manifests as epithelial, stromal and endothelial disease. Depending on the structure involved, signs, symptoms and management options differ. Early diagnosis and prompt and appropriate management can lead to early resolution of the disease and maintenance of anatomic and functional integrity of ocular structures.