Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Definition | Symptoms | Treatment | Clinic Information
Definition
Herpes zoster, commonly known as "shingles," is a viral disease that causes a characteristic skin rash of small fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) which form scabs and can leave permanent scars. Varicella-zoster, the same virus that causes chicken pox, is responsible for herpes zoster.
How Does Herpes Zoster Affect the Eye?
Herpes zoster commonly attacks the nerves around the eye, especially the nerve that supplies the upper eyelid and forehead. If the virus affects the nerves that go directly to the eyeball, it can cause serious eye problems including corneal ulcers, inflammation and glaucoma. These problems may appear at the same time as the skin rash, or weeks after the vesicles have disappeared. Lingering pain is the result of injured sensory nerves, which may remain overly sensitive for years after the viral attack.
- Burning, throbbing, or itching
- Redness of skin
- Extreme skin sensitivity
- Blisters
Treatment
The treatment involves control of pain and prevention of further skin infection with soaks, scrubs and topical antibiotics. Antiviral medications, and steroids taken by mouth may be helpful. Most people recover without complications. Unfortunately, some people have permanent visual damage and continue to have pain for years.
Chronic pain after resolution of initial rash may be treated with antidepression and antiepileptic medications.
Clinic Information
For more information, see the Cornea & External Disease, Cataract & Refractive Surgery Clinic and the complete Clinic Services listing of the U-M Kellogg Eye Center.
