What is a potential sign of herpetic keratitis?

Blurry vision is identified as a potential sign of herpetic keratitis because the herpes simplex virus can infect the cornea, leading to inflammation and damage. This condition can disrupt the normal surface of the cornea, resulting in visual disturbances such as blurred vision. Symptoms can also include pain, light sensitivity, and tearing, but blurred vision specifically indicates that the virus is affecting the clarity of the cornea, which directly influences sight.

The other options, while they may present in various eye conditions, are not as specific to herpetic keratitis. Itching sensation, for instance, is more commonly associated with allergies or other types of conjunctivitis, while redness of the eyelids is indicative of many different ocular issues, including bacterial or allergic conjunctivitis. Puffy cheeks typically do not correlate with herpetic keratitis but rather might suggest sinus issues or other dermatological concerns. Thus, blurry vision stands out as a hallmark symptom directly linked to the corneal involvement seen in herpetic keratitis.