Herpes Zoster Dendritic Keratitis

Abstract

Three cases of herpes zoster ophthalmicus characterized by classical dendritic keratitis are reported. Careful scraping and culture of just the epithelial cells involved in the corneal lesions revealed that the etiological agent was herpes zoster virus and not herpes simplex as had commonly been believed. Two patients were treated with steroids and idoxuridine and one with steroids alone. All three recovered quickly without adverse effects.