Corneal Refractive Surgery in Patients with a History of Herpes Simplex Keratitis: A Narrative Review

Majid Moshirfar,1– 3 Dallin C Milner,4 Preston A Baker,5 Shannon E McCabe,1 Yasmyne C Ronquillo,1 Phillip C Hoopes1 1Hoopes Vision Research Center, Hoopes Vision, Draper, UT, USA; 2John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 3Utah Lions Eye Bank, Murray, UT, USA; 4University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; 5McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USACorrespondence: Majid MoshirfarHoopes Vision Research Center, Hoopes Vision, 11820 S. State Street Suite #200, Draper, UT 84020, USATel +1 801-568-0200Email Cornea2020@me.comAbstract: The incidence of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) in patients following corneal refractive surgery is higher than in the general population, and several case reports of ocular morbidity in HSK infection following corneal refractive surgery have been published. HSK is listed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology as a relative contraindication to corneal refractive surgery, although specifics have not been further elucidated. This review summarizes the current literature regarding reactivation of HSK following corneal refractive surgery and provides a guideline for considering corneal refractive surgery in a patient with a previous history of HSK. Based on the current literature, we recommend that corneal refractive surgery is appropriate for patients with a history of HSK without multiple recurrences who have had no evidence of disease for at least one year. In addition to a thorough history and physical examination, we also recommend these patients begin 400 mg twice daily of oral acyclovir or valacyclovir 500 mg once daily for two weeks prior to surgery and continue this regimen for at least two weeks postoperatively or while on topical steroids.Keywords: herpetic keratitis, LASIK, PRK, PTK, herpes prophylaxis, SMILE, HSV, shingles, varicella zoster, cytomegalovirus, CMV