What is the typical duration of antiviral treatment for HSV keratitis?

• A. 3-5 days
• B. 7-10 days
• C. 14 days
• D. 21 days

Answer: (B)

Treat the epithelial form of HSV keratitis with antiviral therapy long enough for the corneal epithelium to heal, which is typically about 7 to 10 days. This duration provides adequate viral suppression to allow re-epithelialization while avoiding unnecessary prolonged exposure that can raise toxicity or resistance risks. Shorter courses, like 3–5 days, may not fully suppress viral replication and can lead to incomplete healing or recurrence. Longer courses, such as 14 or 21 days, aren’t usually needed for uncomplicated epithelial disease and add burden without clear benefit. If there’s deeper, stromal involvement, management changes and may require longer treatment plus possible adjunctive therapies, but for uncomplicated HSV epithelial keratitis, a 7–10 day course is standard.