Tear Immune Mediators in HSK

This study entitled 'Analysis of Tear Immune Mediators in Herpes Simplex Keratitis and Correlation of In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Nerve Alterations' is a new prospective observational study, investigating the correlation between tear immune inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptides and alterations in corneal nerves visualized by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and conjunctival blood flow analysed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Inclusion Criteria

• Clinically diagnosed acute herpes simplex keratitis
• Reactivation of latent HSV keratitis
• Chronic (latent) HSV keratitis (>3 months)

Exclusion Criteria

• History of ocular surgery in the past 3 months
• History of other viral/bacterial ocular infections in the past 3 months

Study Requirements

There will follow-up procedures at different time points for acute and chronic HSV keratitis patients for this study: There will be one visit (screening and study visits combined) for both groups and there will be two follow up visits at 3 months and 6 months for Group II and three follow up visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months for Group I.