Oral herpes prescriptions may reduce eye-related problems

The use of oral prescription medications to combat herpes may reduce the number of eye-related health complications, according to a study published in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that commonly leads to corneal diseases, including keratitis, a condition in which the cornea becomes inflammed. Once an individual contracts herpes, the virus begins to cause damage to the sensory nerve mechanisms.

During the recent trial, a team of researchers followed the occurrence of HSV among individuals residing in Olmstead Country, Minnesota from 1976 to 2007. A total of 394 patients were diagnosed with the STD, and of this group, a total of 175 individuals were prescribed oral antiviral treatments.

The investigators discovered that those who did not take these drugs were nearly 35 times more likely to suffer from recurring cases of conjunctivitis and approximately 10 times more likely to suffer from cornea infections.

The authors of the trial stated that these findings suggest that "oral antiviral prophylaxis should be considered for patients with frequent recurrences of corneal disease." They added that "we recommend an evaluation of the possible barriers preventing compliance with antiviral prophylaxis and a reassessment of the cost-effectiveness of long-term oral antiviral therapy."