A CASE REPORT TREATMENT OF HERPETIC KERATITIS WITHOUT USING ANTIVIRAL MEDICINES

To present a case of herpetic keratitis, where antiviral therapy was not used (locally or systemically).

Material and method: A 66-year-old woman came to the ICU of our clinic, causing sudden pain, photophobia, intense tearing, blurred vision and intense feeling of a foreign body.

Individual history (Breast Ca 10 years ago, a congenital kidney and fatty infiltration of hormonal etiology. He also reported that he often developed herpes zoster on the upper right lip).

Findings from the clinical examination: Visual acuity ΔΟ (with correction) 6/10, ΑΟ 10/10 (with correction). Slit lamp examination: photophobia, tearing, conjunctival hyperemia, EEG measurement with Goldmann leveling tonometer DO: 12mmHg and AO: 11mmHg, susceptibility test (+) from 4-6 hours, without reaction in the anterior chamber and intense dry eyes (BUT ΔΟ 3sec and ΑΟ 5sec).

Due to the patient's individual history, it was impossible to use any form of antiviral therapy. Therefore, autologous serum eye drops (ASED) were prepared, without dilution, with instruction for instillation of one drop per hour. This serum contains bioactive elements such as albumin, lysozyme, vitamin A and growth factors (TGF-b, EGF), which promote healthy cell growth and healing of the ocular surface and cornea. A tobramycin eye ointment was also added three times a day. 

Review in 48 hours. During the review the clinical picture was improved, with a reduction in symptoms. In the five days after the initial infection, the patient shows only mild conjunctival hyperemia, elimination of the dendritic ulcer and the improvement of the image of the intense dry eye. The local treatment was modified at each review.

The beneficial effects of autologous serum on the growth of health cells and the healing.