Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Can HSV Involving The Lips Get Reactivated In The Eyes?
Question: I have hsv-1 and have been infected for 5 years now. Thus far ive only had outbreaks on my lip which is where my first outbreak occured. Ive been seeing alot of research on webmd, patient.com, medicine.net, emedicinehealth.com, harvard.edu, mayo clinic, cdc.gov, and summitmedicalgroup.com lately stating that hsv-1 can reactivate at random and rather than traveling back down to my lips it will follow the nerves to my eyes instead causing ocular herpes even if I don't actually spread it there by touching a sore then my eye. I've noticed that based on research this occurs for the first time in people mostly between the ages of 30-40, people with previous hsv infections of the mouth or nose, and people who wear contact lenses. My fear is im about to enter my 30's, i have cold sore reactivation blisters on my lips from time to time, and i wear contact lenses daily. Im wondering should i give up contact lenses to lessen my chances of hsv randomly spreading through my trigeminal nerve and activating in my eye instead of just going back to my lip like it has been thus far?
Brief Answer:
HSV 1 is often limited to lips
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome to Healthcaremagic.com.
I have read your query.
I understand your concern.
Herpes is a highly recurring condition. it is caused by HSV 1 virus that stays in ganglion and gets activated by various predisposing factors. The chances of reactivation increases in an immunocompromised person, recent infection, seasonal change, rainy season.
On activation, virus travels down to involve area on or around lips.
More often the infection is limited to lips
but may spread to involve other areas on face. The infection may extend to involve eyes also but the transmission to eyes through nerves is rare. Rather it may spread to eyes through fomites like contact lens, towel, spectacles, hands.
In case antivirals like Acyclovir / Valacyclovir are started timely during acute attack, the chances of reactivation of virus reduces. In case a person gets more than 6 episodes per year, suppressive therapy of Acyclovir is advised.
You should wash your hands while wearing or removing lens.
Do not rub or touch the eyes while wearing lens.
you should visit your doctor in person during acute attack so that he can examine you and give you prescription.
You can share my opinion with him.
I am sure that he would agree with this.
I hope it helps.
Take care
HSV 1 is often limited to lips
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome to Healthcaremagic.com.
I have read your query.
I understand your concern.
Herpes is a highly recurring condition. it is caused by HSV 1 virus that stays in ganglion and gets activated by various predisposing factors. The chances of reactivation increases in an immunocompromised person, recent infection, seasonal change, rainy season.
On activation, virus travels down to involve area on or around lips.
More often the infection is limited to lips
but may spread to involve other areas on face. The infection may extend to involve eyes also but the transmission to eyes through nerves is rare. Rather it may spread to eyes through fomites like contact lens, towel, spectacles, hands.
In case antivirals like Acyclovir / Valacyclovir are started timely during acute attack, the chances of reactivation of virus reduces. In case a person gets more than 6 episodes per year, suppressive therapy of Acyclovir is advised.
You should wash your hands while wearing or removing lens.
Do not rub or touch the eyes while wearing lens.
you should visit your doctor in person during acute attack so that he can examine you and give you prescription.
You can share my opinion with him.
I am sure that he would agree with this.
I hope it helps.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
So as long as i keep my hands clean im in no danger of continuing wear of my contact lenses?
Brief Answer:
yes it is safe
Detailed Answer:
Yes the chances would be minimized as transmission through nerves to eyes is a very rare possibility.
I hope I am able to solve your query.
Take care.
yes it is safe
Detailed Answer:
Yes the chances would be minimized as transmission through nerves to eyes is a very rare possibility.
I hope I am able to solve your query.
Take care.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
