Prevalence and clinical features of recurrent herpetic keratitis in upper Egypt

ABSTRACT

The prevalence and clinical features of recurrent herpes simplex keratitis [RHSK] in Upper Egypt were studied. Of 8447 patients presenting with different eye diseases to Assiut University Hospital, 456 [3.4%] of patients had active recurrent herpetic lesions. The highest incidence of herpetic affection was found in the age group of 30-39 years of both males, 70[26.5%] and females, 46[24.0%] patients. The majority of cases were unilateral, 427[93.6%] patients and presented in the season of winter, 195 [42.8%] patients. RHSK was detected during the first recurrence in 274[60.1%] of patients, and 182.[*39.9%][of cases had more than one recurrence [average3 recurrences in 3 years]. The commonest symptom was pain in 233[51.1]%] - patients and the commonest herpetic lesions were ulcerative keratitis in 319[70%] patients with one recurrence and kerato-uveitis in 47[25.8%] patients with more than one recurrence. RHSK should be considered as one of the serious diseases affecting the cornea in Upper Egypt. The factors affecting the course and seriousness of the disease were discussed