[Current trends in herpetic keratitis]

The virus simplex herpes (VSH) differs from other viruses in that it frequently affects the eyes and because of the gravity of lesions. It belongs to the herpes-virus family which also includes the varicella virus, the cytomegalovirus, zone and the Epstein-Barr virus. The main feature consists of the fact that after the first infection in latent form, the virus remains inside the body and may cause recidives. The type I determines oculofacial lesions. While the type II determines genital lesions. Seldom it may affects the eye in a severe form. In fact there is inside every type a great antigenic variability, with many intermediate forms. The antiviral drugs from the 1 generation, like IDU (iodoxuridine), IDC (iododezoxiuridine), vidarabine and TFT (trifluoro-thymidine) are rather toxic because of the lack in their action selectivity. The antiviral drugs from the second generation, like the acyclovir, have a more selective action. The corticotherapy, locally administrated, is useful in the immunopathological lesions in the recidivated profound forms. The corticotherapy must be reduced at the minimal doses, which should be taken before an antiviral prophylactic chemotherapy.