Reactivation of herpes simplex virus keratitis after initiating bimatoprost treatment for glaucoma

PURPOSE: To report a case of herpes simplex virus reactivation after starting bimatoprost treatment for glaucoma. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 66-year-old woman had a herpes simplex keratouveitis reactivation that occurred within 1 month after starting bimatoprost. The herpes simplex had been inactive for more than 10 years. RESULTS: Bimatoprost and prednisolone acetate 0.12% were discontinued; oral acyclovir, ofloxacin, and betaxolol 0.25% were initiated. Two weeks later, prednisolone acetate 1% was added. The reactivation resolved, and 1 month later, the best corrected visual acuity improved to 20/40. CONCLUSION: Caution should be used in prescribing bimatoprost for patients with a history of herpes simplex virus keratitis. (Am J Ophthalmol 2002;133: 401-403. (C) 2002 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved).