What You Should Know About Eye Herpes

Who we’re looking for:

As a Receptionist/Optometric Assistant, you will be the first point of contact for our patients! We are looking for a friendly, warm face to welcome patients and offer administrative support across the practice.

This is a full time Receptionist/Optometric Assistant position. Experience in the optical or eye care industry is not required but would be an asset. Training will be provided to the successful candidate to ensure a smooth and successful start with our practice. Our office is open Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm, closed on weekends and all statutory holidays.

Your day-to-day will include:

• Greeting and attending patients in person and via the phone
• Professionally assisting doctors, staff, visitors and patients
• Answering all phone calls in a professional and courteous manner
• Scheduling appointments between Optometrist and patients/Opticians and patients
• Liaison between departments, specialist/ophthalmologist offices, and pharmacies with discretion and professionalism
• Telephone triage of eye care emergencies
• Complete accurate documentation of patient visits, maintaining patient records (electronic and paper), updating patient demographic information
• Ensuring that stock levels are adequate and orders are timely
• Communicate medical information and results to patients (under clinical supervision)
• General accounting, billing to patients, billing to insurance companies
• Ensuring the reception area is tidy
• Receiving, sorting and distributing daily e-mails, mail and deliveries
• Maintaining business inventory such as office supplies, eye drops, and contact lenses
• Scheduling maintenance and repair of office equipment
• Updating calendars and scheduling meetings
• Performing all duties within HIPPA regulations, maintaining confidentiality of all doctor, staff and patient information

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED Required
• 1 year + reception/customer service experience is ideal
• Experience in the optical or eye care industry is not required but would be an asset
• Great communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and often-changing work environment
• Familiarity with computers and an ability to adapt to and learn new technology and software

A little bit about us:

Spectrum Eyecare & Eyewear was founded in 1976 by Dr. Peter McGuigan and we have been helping High River and surrounding area SEE for over 40 years! The practice has had locations in downtown High River before moving to its present home on 3^RD Ave in January of 2019.

Dr. Tannis Shakya joined the practice as an associate in January of 2004, and became a partner in February 2006. Dr. Shakya maintains custody of Dr. McGuigan’s patient files following his retirement in April of 2022. Dr. Karlie Tweed joined the practice full-time in August 2023.

We offer a full range of eye health services to clients of all ages – from comprehensive eye health assessments, ocular disease diagnosis and treatment, post-operative care, contact lens evaluation and more – all with personalized attention and a smile.

Please forward us your resume (office@spectrumeyecare.ca) or drop by in person if you are interested in joining our team!

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So, What Is Eye Herpes?

Eye herpes, or HSV keratitis, is a common eye infection typically caused by type 1 herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), the same virus that causes cold sores around the mouth and lips. However, eye herpes can also be caused by the HSV-2 and herpes zoster viruses. Eye herpes affects approximately 1.5 million people around the world each year, and is one of the most common causes of infectious blindness in the USA and Canada. 

People typically contract eye herpes by touching a cold sore and then touching the eyes with their contaminated fingers. Once contracted, the virus stays in the body for life.

Ocular herpes tends to infect the cornea, causing inflammation, eye redness, tearing, and — in rare cases — vision loss. Many people with eye herpes may not even know they have it, as it can remain dormant within the nervous system without causing any flare-ups. It's not uncommon for HSV to reactivate months or even years after initially contracting the virus. Flare-ups usually resolve on their own within 1−2 weeks, and many of them will recur within 10 years. 

Herpetic eye infections can be confused with other types of “pink eye”, such as bacterial or other viral infections. Instead of self-treating an eye infection with antibiotics you have at home, get it examined by an eye doctor or physician, who can prescribe the right medication. Eye herpes won't improve with antibiotics unless an antiviral is also used.

How Does Eye Herpes Affect the Eyes?

Eye herpes can affect many parts of the eye, such as:

• Eyelids
• Cornea (the clear layer on the front of your eye)
• Retina (the light-sensing sheet of cells in the back of your eye)
• Conjunctiva (the thin sheet of tissue covering the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids)
• Iris (the colored part of your eye) 
• Sclera (the white part of your eye) 

What are the Symptoms of Eye Herpes?

Various signs and symptoms are associated with eye herpes, such as: 

• Tearing
• Swollen lymph nodes at the front of the ear
• Irritation
• Redness
• Eye sores
• Watery eye discharge
• Sensitivity to light
• Headache and lethargy
• Feeling of something stuck in the eye
• Blisters or rash on the eyelids
• Reduced or blurred vision 

While eye herpes usually affects only one eye, it's not uncommon for both eyes to be infected.

Left untreated, eye herpes can cause corneal ulcers and scarring, which may lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness. If you suspect you have eye herpes, please contact Spectrum Eyecare and Eyewear in High River as soon as possible to prevent further complications. 

What Causes Eye Herpes Flare-Ups?

Major stressors can often lead to a bout of eye herpes. These include:

• Emotional distress 
• Excessive sunlight exposure (UV rays) 
• Fever
• Major surgical or dental procedures
• Refractive surgery (LASIK, etc.)
• Trauma

A weakened immune system can also put you at increased risk of an eye herpes reactivation, and potentially lead to an outbreak.

Can Eye Herpes Be Prevented?

While there is no foolproof way to prevent an eye herpes infection — or any other type of eye infection, for that matter — there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. 

The most important thing to remember is to keep your eyes and hands clean (which is all the more important if you have cold sores). Furthermore, it's critical that you avoid touching your eyes if you or someone around you has an outbreak. 

If you wear contact lenses, be sure to follow your eye doctor's instructions on contact lens care. Do not wear them longer than recommended and do not wear them while swimming, as chemicals and germs in the water can damage the lens, irritate your eyes, and cause an infection in contact lens wearers.

Have Eye Herpes? Here's How We Can Help. 

While there's no cure for eye herpes, certain treatments can prevent vision loss and help control future outbreaks. 

Early diagnosis and treatment — ideally within a 72 hour window — can help mitigate severe eye damage and significantly improve your symptoms.

Treatment typically includes antiviral medication, which can be eye drops, ointment, or oral medication. Your eye doctor will instruct you on how to manage your symptoms and prevent reinfection. 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of eye herpes, call Spectrum Eyecare and Eyewear in High River to promptly schedule your eye exam with Dr. Tannis Shakya.

Q&A 

#1: How long do eye herpes symptoms last? 

Most bouts of eye herpes last about 1-2 weeks, but can sometimes last longer. Treatment is usually for 2 weeks and you should see improvement within 5 days of treatment. Contact your doctor at the first sign of an outbreak to start treatment as soon as possible and minimize the risk of eye damage. 

#2: How often do flare-ups recur? 

20% of people who’ve had eye herpes will have another outbreak within a year of the initial infection. While several factors contribute to recurrence, if you experience multiple flare-ups, your doctor may recommend taking a daily antiviral medication for prevention.