Mel B feared that she had gone blind after suffering from eye herpes. The Spice Girls singer experienced temporary blindness and was hospitalized, according to People.
The condition that Mel B suffered from is known as herpes keratitis, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. It’s caused by herpes simplex virus, the same virus that causes cold sores and genital herpes.
Once a person contracts herpes, the virus can remain dormant in the body and reactivates during certain times. Triggers that can cause a flare-up include stress, fever, too much exposure to the sun, menstruation, and bad reactions to medications.
Symptoms of eye herpes include eye redness, eye pain, tearing, sensitivity to light, headache, and reduced vision due to eye pain.
With herpes keratitis, a flare-up can cause a scar to form on the cornea and lead to blindness. Individuals who suffer from the condition should avoid touching their eyes if they have a cold sore.
If caught early, the condition can be treated with antiviral medication. Mel B was treated for the condition and is currently recovering.
