Herpes Simplex Virus Anterior Uveitis May Mimic Posner-Schlossman Syndrome

Patients with herpes simplex virus (HSV) anterior uveitis may present with clinical signs and symptoms similar to Posner-Schlossman Syndrome (glaucomatocyclitic crisis), according to a poster presented by Fareed Dosani, OD, at the 2023 Southeastern Educational Congress of Optometry (SECO) meeting in Atlanta from March 1 to 5. Some of these presentations include elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and the presence of small to medium keratic precipitates, the poster shows.  

Despite these similar presentations, clinicians may be able to identify HSV anterior uveitis by a potential history of recurrent blisters or vesicles around the eyelids, or the presence of a hypopyon, hyphema, posterior synechiae, and vitritis in severe HSV cases. Oral antiviral agents, which are often well-tolerated by patients, are frequently administered for HSV treatment, except in cases of corneal involvement. Recurrent cases may require prophylactic treatment at a low dose and longer duration, and contact lens use should be discontinued, the poster shows.