AIM: To observe the clinical curative effect of sparse wind clearing heat method combined with western medicine treatment on epithelial herpes simplex keratitis(HSK).

METHODS: A total of 75 cases(75 eyes)of patients with epithelial HSK were divided into the treatment group 38 cases(38 eyes)and the control group 37 cases(37 eyes). The patients of the control group were treated with ganciclovir drop and symptomatic treatment. On the basis of the above treatment plan, the patients of the treatment group were treated with sparse wind clearing heat decoction. Clinical curative effect was observed and analyzed.

RESULTS:In the treatment group, curative rate was 79% and effective rate was 95%. In the control group, curative rate was 54% and effective rate was 78%. The differences had significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05). The corneal lesion healing index in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05). At 6mo follow-up the recurrence rate was 10% in the treatment group, and the control group with 40%, and there was significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05). The average healing time of the treatment group was 14.74±8.58d, and the control group was 19.68±8.71d. There was significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Sparse wind clearing heat method combined with western medicine treatment on epithelial HSK has preferably curative effect.