Eye herpes, or ocular herpes, is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).Herpes infections that affect the eye are usually caused by HSV type 1 infections, which are also a common cause of cold sores and blisters on the face, rather than type 2 infections, which affect the genitals.In rare cases, an infant can develop an HSV 2 infection during birth when the mother is infected.erpes infections that affect the eye are usually caused by HSV type 1 infections, which are also a common cause of cold sores and blisters on the face, rather than type 2 infections, which affect the genitals.