Punctate keratitis occurs in the infected area.

It is also known as punctate erosive keratopathy or superficial punctate keratitis.

Infrequently (0.1-1% of patients), ophthalmic aciclovir is associated with superficial punctate keratitis or allergic reactions.

The effect of the lesions varies, from minor damage to the epithelium (superficial punctate keratitis), to formation of dendritic ulcers.

Viral conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, shows a fine, diffuse pinkness of the conjunctiva, which is easily mistaken for the ciliary injection of iritis, but there are usually corroborative signs on microscopy, particularly numerous lymphoid follicles on the tarsal conjunctiva, and sometimes a punctate keratitis.