Prospects of prevention of recurrent herpetic eye disease

Various theories of recurrence of herpetic disease are outlined to indicate the potential role that interferon, interferon-inducers, or a hypothetical perfect synthetic antiviral may have in preventing recurrences, and the possibilities of minimizing trigger effects are considered. Attention is drawn to certain aspects of the management of herpetic eye disease that have a direct bearing on the incidence of subsequent recurrence. There is a need to initiate a movement to mobibize ophthalmologists everywhere to educate general practitioners in order to restrain them from harmfully using steroids in undiagnosed red eyes.