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1: Am Fam Physician. 2002 Nov 1;66(9):1723-30.Links
Comment in:
Am Fam Physician. 2002 Nov 1;66(9):1732.

Evaluation and management of herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Shaikh S, Ta CN.

Stanford University Medical Center, California, USA.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus occurs when the varicella-zoster virus is reactivated in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus represents up to one fourth of all cases of herpes zoster. Most patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus present with a periorbital vesicular rash distributed according to the affected dermatome. A minority of patients may also develop conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis, and ocular cranial-nerve palsies. Permanent sequelae of ophthalmic zoster infection may include chronic ocular inflammation, loss of vision, and debilitating pain. Antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famcidovir remain the mainstay of therapy and are most effective in preventing ocular involvement when begun within 72 hours after the onset of the rash. Timely diagnosis and management of herpes zoster ophthalmicus. with referral to an ophthalmologist when ophthalmic involvement is present, are critical in limiting visual morbidity.

PMID: 12449270 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Patient Drug Information

  • Acyclovir (Zovirax® )

    Acyclovir is used to decrease pain and speed the healing of sores or blisters in people who have varicella (chickenpox), herpes zoster (shingles; a rash that can occur in people who have had chickenpox in the past), and ...

  • Valacyclovir (Valtrex® Caplets)

    Valacyclovir is used to treat herpes zoster (shingles) and genital herpes. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching, helps sores to heal, and prevents new ones from forming.

  • Source: AHFS Consumer Medication Information