Hepatitis B virus in human tears: ocular examination of an asymptomatic carrier

The hepatitis B virus or Dane particle has been linked to hepatocellular carcinoma and is a major cause of chronic liver disease. Hepatitis B virus is found in blood and many body fluids including human tears. A 31-year-old White male was inadvertently discovered to have chronic active hepatitis secondary to a hepatitis B infection, during an autoimmune disorder work-up for recurrent episcleritis. It was also discovered that two of the patient's family members had developed chronic disease from the virus. Optometrists should be aware of the serious implications of this disease and take the proper precautions when examining hepatitis patients so that the possible risk of contracting infection through contaminated tears will be reduced.