Ophthalmology · UKMLA & AKT
Herpes simplex keratitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Almost always unilateral; young/middle-aged adults
- Painful red eye - circumcorneal (limbal) injection
- Foreign body sensation - can mimic corneal abrasion or foreign body
- Photophobia - due to corneal nerve irritation
- Watery (clear) discharge - distinguishes from bacterial keratitis (purulent)
- Periocular vesicles or crusted lesions on eyelid margin/surrounding skin
- Palpable preauricular lymph node - classic sign of viral aetiology
The dendritic ulcer (branching/tree-like pattern on fluorescein staining) is pathognomonic of HSV epithelial keratitis - its pattern reflects viral spread along corneal epithelial nerve endings.
Unlock the full Herpes simplex keratitis revision
Get the complete high-yield notes (2 more sections covering investigations, management and complications), practice questions, mock exams and Sal, the AI tutor. Start free.