The evolution of antiviral therapy for external ocular viral infections over twenty-five years

To review the past 25 years of the evolution of antiviral therapy for the t reatment of common external ocular viral infections (herpes simplex virus t ype 1, varicella-zoster virus, acid adenovirus). Methods. A broad-based lit erature review in the fields of virology, antiviral research, and ophthalmo logy will be carried out. The pathogenesis of the major external ocular vir al infections and history of antiviral development will be cited. Important conceptual breakthroughs as well as historical landmarks will be emphasize d.. Results. The successful development of effective anti virals to treat t he most common external ocular viral infections have dr;dramatically reduce d morbidity and sight loss. The immune pathogenesis of herpetic stromal ker atitis is better understood, Conclusions. Remarkable progress in the develo pment of antiviral therapy has occurred over the past quarter. century. Fut ure needs include improved antivirals and immunomodulators and vaccines to prevent and treat herpetic ocular infections and adenovirus keratoconjuncti vitis.