When the eye is afflicted by herpes simplex, it usually affects only one eye and most often occurs on the cornea. Eye herpes is transmitted through contact with another person who is having an outbreak or self contact and contamination during an active herpes infection (touching a cold sore than rubbing your eye).
Other forms of eye herpes include:

• Herpes Keratitis- which is the most common form of eye herpes. This form of ocular herpes generally forms on the top layer of the cornea and heals without scarring.
• Stromal Keratitis- occurs when the infection goes deeper into the layers of the cornea. This can lead to scarring, loss of vision and, occasionally, blindness. This form of ocular herpes is the leading cause of blindness in the US.
• Iridocyclitis- the most serious form of eye herpes where the iris and surrounding tissues inside the eye become inflamed, causing severe sensitivity to light, blurred vision, pain and redness.

Treatments for eye herpes varies depending on its’ severity. If the corneal infection is only superficial, it can normally be alleviated by using antiviral eye drops, ointments, or oral antiviral pills. Steroid drops can help decrease inflammation and prevent corneal scarring when the infection appears deeper in the corneal layers and in cases where corneal scarring is permanent, a corneal transplant may be needed to restore vision.