[Herpetic eye diseases]

The ophthalmologist differs between three forms of manifestation of the herpetic infection: 1. The superficial keratitis with involvement of the epithelium, known as keratitis punctata, stellata or dendritica. 2. The deep for: the keratitis disciformis. This is a delaged hypersensitivity against the herpes virus or its products of metabolism. 3. The metaherpetic keratopathy develops on the basis of a disturbed metabolism after relapsing, mainly deep herpetic keratitis. Therapy differs according to the forms of manifestation. The prevention of relapses is a problem. The frequency of relapses of the corneal herpes is considerably less and the intervals between the relapses are in general considerably longer than in dermatological herpes affections. Therefore, the influence on the recidivity by the drug Lupidon can be appreciated by a long-term study over several years only.