Herpes eye infection vs. EKC

[tt32414]

Can doctors distinguish between herpes eye infection and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis by merely looking through slit lamp?  I have been diagnosed with EKC.  My eye has been red, swollen, tearing for 3 weeks.  I do not feel pain in my eyes.  Yesterday, my doctor removed some pseudomembrane caused by the infection.   However, based on my internet research, herpes eye infection and EKC have similar symptoms.  I am using Prednisolone Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension to fight inflammation.

Thank you for your help in advance!!!  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

EKC and herpetic eye disease don't look alike and should not be confused.

JCH MD

[tt32414]

Below is a timeline of my eye infection:

Week of 3/24/14: The inner and outer corners of my right eye were really red.  My ophthalmologist diagnosed me with viral eye infection and prescribed me TOBRADEX.  I used TOBRADEX 3 times a day for the first two days, then 1 time a day for another 3 or 4 days, and then stopped.

Week of 3/31/14: My right eye became red and swollen.  I went to see a new ophthalmologist and was told that I just had to wait for my body to fight the virus.  No medicine was prescribed.

Week of 4/7/14: My right eye became even more red and swollen and My right face was very swollen as well.  The lymph nodes on my right sides were also swollen.  On Monday, I was prescribed Lotemax to reduce the inflammation and used it for 2 days, 3 times a day.  Then, I noticed a big  decrease in vision in my right eye and stopped the medicine.  On Friday, my doctor told me that I have EKC and the virus is in my cornea as well.  No pseudomembrane was detected.  My doctor told me that I have two options: 1. Do not use medication.  Wait for the eye to cure on its own, although it will take a long time.  2. Use steroid, but it takes even longer for the problem to be over.  I chose not to use any medication.

Week of 4/14/14: Monday, I changed my ophthalmologist again.  I went to see a cornea specialist at Weill Cornell ophthalmology.  My doctor detected pseudomembrane and removed it.  He also told me that I have a lot of corneal infiltrates and I must use Pred Forte eye drop.