Contributor: Gordon K. Klintworth
Dendritic keratitis (dendriform keratitis, furrow keratitis, keratitis arborescens) is a clinically distinct type of keratitis. It is characterized by the presence of  sharply demarcated linear branching ulcers in the corneal epithelium. It is most often a manifestation of  an infection due to human herpesvirus 1. The condition is extremely painful. The linear branching ulcers can be demonstrated clinically by applying fluorescein to the surface of the eye. Aside from Herpesvirus a dendritic keratitis is also a feature of tyrosinemia type II.