Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is reactivation of a varicella-zoster virus infection (shingles—see also Herpesviruses: Herpes Zoster) involving the eye. Symptoms and signs, which may be intense, include dermatomal forehead rash and painful inflammation of all the tissues of the anterior and, rarely, posterior structures of the eye. Diagnosis is based on the characteristic appearance of the anterior structures of the eye plus zoster dermatitis of the first branch of the trigeminal nerve (V1). Treatment is with oral antivirals, mydriatics, and topical corticosteroids.

Herpes zoster of the forehead involves the globe in three fourths of cases when the nasociliary nerve is affected (as indicated by a lesion on the tip of the nose) and in one third of cases not involving the tip of the nose. Overall, the globe is involved in half of patients.

Symptoms and Signs

A prodrome of tingling of the forehead may occur. During acute disease, in addition to the painful forehead rash, symptoms and signs may include severe ocular pain; marked eyelid edema; conjunctival, episcleral, and circumcorneal conjunctival hyperemia; corneal edema; and photophobia.

Complications: Keratitis and/or uveitis may be severe and followed by scarring. Late sequelae—glaucoma, cataract, chronic or recurrent uveitis, corneal scarring, corneal neovascularization, and hypesthesia—are common and may threaten vision. Postherpetic neuralgia may develop late. Patients may develop episcleritis and/or retinitis.

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

Diagnosis

• Zoster rash on the forehead or eyelid plus eye findings

Diagnosis is based on a typical acute herpes zoster rash on the forehead, eyelid, or both or on a characteristic history plus signs of previous zoster rash (eg, atrophic hypopigmented scars). Vesicular or bullous lesions in this distribution that do not yet involve the eye suggest significant risk and should prompt an ophthalmologic consultation to determine whether the eye is involved. Culture and immunologic or PCR studies of skin at initial evaluation or serial serologic tests are done only when lesions are atypical and the diagnosis uncertain.

Treatment

• Oral antivirals (eg, acyclovirSome Trade Names
  ZOVIRAX
  Click for Drug Monograph
  , famciclovirSome Trade Names
  FAMVIR
  Click for Drug Monograph
  , valacyclovirSome Trade Names
  VALTREX
  Click for Drug Monograph
  )
• Sometimes topical corticosteroids

Early treatment with acyclovirSome Trade Names
ZOVIRAX
Click for Drug Monograph
800 mg po 5 times/day or famciclovirSome Trade Names
FAMVIR
Click for Drug Monograph
500 mg or valacyclovirSome Trade Names
VALTREX
Click for Drug Monograph
1 g po tid for 7 days reduces ocular complications. Patients with uveitis or keratitis require topical corticosteroids (eg, prednisoloneSome Trade Names
ORAPRED
PRELONE
Click for Drug Monograph
acetate 1% instilled q 1 h for uveitis or qid for keratitis initially, lengthening the interval as symptoms lessen). The pupil should be dilated with atropineSome Trade Names
ATROPEN
ATROPINE-CARE
SAL-TROPINE
Click for Drug Monograph
1% or scopolamineSome Trade Names
TRANSDERM SCOP
Click for Drug Monograph
0.25% 1 drop tid. Intraocular pressure must be monitored and treated if it rises significantly above normal values.

Use of a brief course of high-dose oral corticosteroids to prevent postherpetic neuralgia in patients > 60 yr who are in good general health remains controversial.

Key Points

• The eye is affected in about half of cases of V1 varicella-zoster virus reactivation.
• Keratitis and/or uveitis can be severe and cause morbidity.
• Appearance of the typical herpes zoster rash is usually diagnostic.
• Treatment is with oral antivirals and usually topical corticosteroids and pupillary dilation.

Last full review/revision October 2012 by Melvin I. Roat, MD, FACS

Content last modified November 2012