Abstract: Human herpes virus is the most common pathogen causing viral keratitis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology can rapidly and accurately detect suspected pathogens in a limited number of eye samples by amplifying target genes. After optimization, PCR technology is more suitable for clinical detection. Multiplex PCR can identify various virus subtypes at the same time, which is more efficiency and requires less sample. Quantitative real-time PCR can detect viral load, which can be used to guide whether drug resistance occurs during the treatment process and whether to stop the medicine. Solid-phase PCR can reduce the pipetting error, and the detection results are more rapid and stable. A thorough understanding of various PCR techniques and their applications will help to better diagnose and guide the treatment of herpes virus-associated keratitis. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2023, 47: 181-185)

Key words: human herpesvirus, herpesvirus keratitis, polymerase chain reaction