Nonhealing corneal defects due to herpes simplex in children

Two young children with unilateral photophobia, redness, blepharospasm and corneal epithelial defects unresponsive to conservative therapy were seen between December 1982 and June 1983. Herpes simplex virus was established as the causal agent in both cases, only after the children had been examined under general anesthesia and appropriate cultures obtained. The difficulties in diagnosing herpetic keratitis in children and the treatment and long-term prognosis are discussed.