28 Chapter 2  Healing of HSV Epithelial Keratitis Treated with Acyclovir Ointment and Short-Term Sequelae of the Infection

Healing of HSV Epithelial Keratitis with Acyclovir Ointment before treatment

24 hrs

48 hrs

7 days

Fig. 2.3  Survey of resolution of two other epithelial lesions in the cornea shown in Figs. 2.1 and 2.2

Left column, without staining: Two adjacent foci containing swollen/rounded cells (white arrowhead) floated together within 24 h of treatment and diminished in size within 48 h. Abnormal cells (black arrowhead) are visible after 7 days

Middle column, with fluorescein sodium: Green-stained tear fluid is pooling within the lesions; some cells are protruding (dark dots, arrowhead). Protruding cells are visible after 24 and 48 h but not after 7 days

Right column, with rose bengal: Some diseased surface cells/cell debris stain red (arrowhead). The staining is pronounced after 48 h; only a little staining is present after 7 days

area of observation

Fig. 2.4  Large numbers of abnormal cells (arrowhead) captured after 7 days of treatment