Drugs and recurrent ocular herpes

There are two types of ocular herpes simplex virus (HSV), type 1 and type 2, and infections can be primary or recurrent. This paper reviews characteristics of herpes infections, the prevalence of the disease, virus latency and reactivation, types of ocular involvement, and current concepts for the management of ocular HSV. Various exogenous factors associated with recurrent herpes of the eye are covered with an emphasis placed on corticosteroids, epinephrine, and medroxyprogesterone. Mechanisms of drug action, and reactivation/exacerbation of ocular herpes are discussed. Clinical guidelines for potential drug contraindications are discussed.