Which symptom is commonly associated with dendritic ulcers?

Dendritic ulcers are commonly associated with herpes simplex keratitis, a viral infection of the cornea that can lead to the formation of characteristic dendritic patterns on the corneal surface. Photophobia, or sensitivity to light, is a prevalent symptom in patients with dendritic ulcers because inflammation and irritation of the cornea can increase discomfort when exposed to bright environments. Light sensitivity often exacerbates the discomfort already present due to the ulceration and inflammation.

While headaches, color vision deficiency, and systemic fever may occur with various other conditions, they are not specifically linked to dendritic ulcers. Headaches may arise from eye strain or other unrelated issues, color vision deficiency pertains to an entirely different aspect of visual function, and systemic fever typically indicates an infection or inflammatory process not specifically indicative of ocular ulcers. Thus, photophobia is the most relevant symptom connected to dendritic ulcers, highlighting the distress and discomfort related to corneal irritation.