According to Ellen Troyer, MT, MA and Spencer Thornton, MD:
Loss of corneal sensation is a common feature of ocular herpes. Proper epithelialization of the cornea may be retarded in ocular herpes patients due to suppression of limbal stem cells from chronic use of topical antiviral therapy, and from poor wound healing related to the use of topical steroids to control associated keratouveitis.
Loss of corneal sensation interrupts the blink feedback loop, resulting in aqueous tear deficiency.
Reference
Ocular Herpes and Dry Eyes
Troyer E., Spencer T.
Biosyntrx