Eye Health and Herpes Viruses Most people are surprised to find out that two types of herpes viruses -- the one that causes cold sores and the one that causes chickenpox -- can cause serious eye problems.

Neither of these two viruses are the same virus that causes genital herpes and herpetic eye disease is not a sexually transmitted disease.

One of the viruses that causes herpetic eye disease is the varicella-zoster virus. It also causes chickenpox and the nervous system disease shingles. When this virus affects the eye, it is called herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

The other virus that causes herpetic eye disease is herpes simplex type 1, or HSV1. Herpes simplex type 1 is the same virus that causes cold sores on the lips and mouth. In the eye, it usually causes an infection of the cornea called herpes simplex keratitis. Herpes simplex type 2 can cause keratitis, particularly in newborns, but less frequently.

When Herpes Virus Infects the Eye and Other Complications of Shingles (Herpes Zoster)