J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2005 Jan;46(1):164-170.

Treatment of Herpes Simplex Ocular Disease with Ganciclovir Ophthalmic Gel

• Byon IS
• Lee JE
• Lee JS

Abstract

PURPOSE
We report the therapeutic effect of ganciclovir gel instead of acyclovir ointment usually used in the case of herpes simplex superficial ocular disease such as herpetic dendritic keratitis and erosive blepharitis. METHODS: Three patients clinically diagnosed with herpes simplex dendritic keratitis and one as erosive blepharitis were treated with the topical ophthalmic gel of 0.15% ganciclovir three times a day for 2 to 4 weeks. Ocular complications and recurrence were evaluated under slit-lamp examination for the follow-up periods. RESULTS: Dendritic keratitis and erosive blepharitis were completely recovered with no recurrence during the 5 months follow-up. There is no respective comparison here. In one case of herpes simplex keratitis, the keratitis wound was repaired after debridement of corneal epithelial layer and application of ganciclovir gel. Complications including burning sensation and superficial punctate keratitis did not develop and visual acuity improved. CONCLUSIONS: Ganciclovir ophthalmic gel should be considered one of the effective therapeutic drugs for the herpes simplex ocular disease.

Keyword

Acyclovir ointment; Ganciclovir gel; Herpes simplex ocular disease

MeSH Terms

Acyclovir
Blepharitis
Burns
Debridement
Follow-Up Studies
Ganciclovir*
Herpes Simplex*
Humans
Keratitis
Keratitis, Dendritic
Keratitis, Herpetic
Recurrence
Sensation
Visual Acuity
Wounds and Injuries
Acyclovir
Ganciclovir