There are a number of factors which make detection of ocular herpes a daunting task. We are going to cover some of them.
Conditions to consider in the differential diagnosis of HSV keratitis include the following:
| Disorder groups | Disorders |
|---|---|
| Corneal dystrophies |
|
| Autoimmune disorders |
|
| Malacia |
|
| Other infections |
|
| Herpes associated with other infections (mixed infections) |
|
| Infections with other types of herpesviruses |
|
Proper differential diagnosis requires thorough history taking, virology tests, serological and bacterial tests (if needed), as well as corneal scraping and sometimes biopsy. Confocal microscopy may be a viable diagnostic technique if acanthamoeba is suspected.