Research progress in pathogenesis of herpes simplex keratitis

Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is a global high incidence of serious infectious cause of blindness.Chronic visual impairment and visual loss are caused by recurrence of infection, corneal scaring, keratoleukoma, corneal vascularization, lymphangion and so on.According to the current study, corneal injury is the result of chronic inflammatory reaction against herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens.Because of its unclear pathogenesis, the treatment methods do not get satisfactory results.Overall understanding of first infection, latent and recurrent mechanism of the disease is the precondition for its effective treatment.By describing the role of autophagy, immune system, cytokines and miRNAs in the mechanism of HSK infection and pathogenesis, the readers can understand the process of the occurrence and development in HSK, to some degree, it will not only provide some references for the diagnosis of HSK, but also bring some new inspirtion in treatment and drug development.