reprinted, with permission, from Simon JW, Basic and Clinical Science Course: Section 6: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology; 2005.
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Cataract/Anterior Segment, Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Cornea/External Disease
Corneal involvement by herpes simplex virus is usually unilateral and typically presents with a red, tearing eye with foreign-body sensation. Epithelial dendrites, characteristic of this condition, are small arborizing epithelial lesions in the shape of a twig or branch. When a corneal dendrite is detected by staining with fluorescein, the patient should be immediately referred to an ophthalmologist.