[Ophthalmic area].

Although herpes simplex virus type 1 or herpes zoster virus is generally considered to cause ocular infection among alpha herpesviruses, herpes simplex virus type 2(HSV-2) retinitis has been recently reported. Acute retinal necrosis(ARN) syndrome is associated with herpesviruses, but the mechanisms remain unclear. The representative ocular infection by alpha herpesviruses is herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) keratitis. The clinical types, ocular symptoms and therapy are reviewed in herpetic ocular infections(HSV-1 blephalitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, retinitis). In addition, ocular infections caused by herpes zoster virus are reviewed.