Purpose: To elucidate the role of adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of herpes simplex keratitis. Methods: Fifty female Balb/c mice (4-6 weeks old, 14-22 g weight) were divided into two groups randomly. Forty were infected by herpes simplex virus and the other 10 were used as normal controls. All mice were fed under the same conditions. Corneas of these mice were collected for immunohistochemical testing on day 14 and 21 after infection.Results: ICAM-1 was mainly expressed in the basal cells of the corneal epithelia and vascular endothelia of the infected mice. A substantial amount of VCAM-1 was also expressed in the corneal vascular endothelial cells of infected mice, and was also found in inflammatory cells in the epithelial and stromal layers of the corneas.Conclusion :Adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were involved in the progression of herpex simplex keratitis. They may accelerate the progress of inflammation by mediating the extravsation of inflammatory cells from vessels into the infected sites.