Which ocular condition is most commonly associated with HSV 1?

Dendritic keratitis is indeed the most commonly associated ocular condition with HSV-1 (Herpes Simplex Virus type 1). This condition typically presents as branching, tree-like lesions on the cornea, which are caused by the viral infection. The lesions represent areas of epithelial cell death and are highly characteristic of herpes keratitis.

In the case of HSV-1 infection, the virus can remain dormant in the sensory ganglia and can reactivate due to various triggers, leading to recurrent episodes of dendritic keratitis. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent corneal scarring and potential vision loss.

Other conditions, while they may be related to HSV-1, do not represent the classic or most prevalent presentations. For example, follicular conjunctivitis tends to be linked to viral infections but is not specifically indicative of HSV-1. Pseudodendritic keratitis may mimic dendritic keratitis but is typically associated with other types of keratitis, such as those following herpes zoster. Disciform endothelitis is a rare condition more commonly associated with herpes simplex keratitis but does not occur as frequently as dendritic keratitis related to HSV-1 infection.

Thus, the strong association of dendritic keratitis with HSV-1