Step 1: Disciform keratitis is a deep, disc-shaped, immune-mediated inflammation of the corneal stroma. It is classically a complication of herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis and represents a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to viral antigen in the stroma rather than active viral replication.
Step 2: Clinically a central or paracentral grey disc of stromal oedema is seen, often with keratic precipitates on the underlying endothelium and a mild iritis. Vision drops because of the oedema, and corneal sensation is typically reduced, a hallmark of herpetic disease.
Step 3: Because the process is immune driven, treatment combines topical steroids to dampen the hypersensitivity reaction with an antiviral cover to prevent reactivation of live virus, which makes HSV the correct answer.
Step 4: The other options do not cause this picture. HIV and HBV are systemic viral infections that do not produce disciform stromal keratitis, and Rubella affects the eye mainly as congenital cataract and pigmentary retinopathy, not disciform keratitis.