Shingles, or herpes zoster virus, is an infection of the nerve roots. It is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles can occur anywhere in the body, including the eyes, and it can cause a wide variety of symptoms. If symptoms of eye shingles appear, it is important to seek medical attention promptly as this condition can become serious if left untreated.
Considerations
After a person has chickenpox, the herpes zoster virus that causes it lies dormant in the nerves of the body. For reasons not well understood, years later this virus can become reactivated and cause shingles. In some people, the virus never becomes active again; others have only one bout of shingles, and in some cases there are repeated occurrences. Those at higher risk of shingles include the elderly, those who developed chickenpox before the age of one and anyone with a medical condition that compromises the immune system, says the National Institutes of Health. Shingles can develop anywhere in the body; it is especially serious if it affects the eyes.
Types
When shingles affects the skin around the eye or the eyes themselves, it is called herpes zoster ophthalmicus. Eye shingles only occurs in about 10 percent of patients who develop shingles. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that symptoms can include a rash or section of blisters that develop around the forehead, typically on one side of the face, near the eye or in the eye, and eventually crust over. Days before the rash occurs, there may be redness, tingling sensations or pain near the eye. These symptoms can last days or weeks. The rash that is associated with eye shingles is very specific, and a diagnosis can be made by a physical examination alone. For the best outcome, seek medical attention as soon as symptoms are noticed.
Warnings
Eye shingles can become severe if there is excessive scarring. There can also be eye pain, the eyelids can become swollen and the eye itself can become inflamed. This inflammation, called uveitis, occurs in about 40 percent of eye shingle patients, warns the American Uveitis Society. Vision may be affected and the eyes may be sensitive to light. The cornea or iris can become damaged from this condition and it can lead to a partial or full loss of vision. At this stage, antiviral medications, eye drops with corticosteroids and in rare cases, surgery may be required to control the symptoms and minimize damage. For some patients, uveitis resolves with treatment, while for others it becomes permanent.
Treatment
Unless eye shingles becomes severe, there are options to help manage the symptoms. Antiviral drugs are almost always used. This can be combined with pain relievers when necessary. With a physician's OK, Merck recommends using a powder called Burow's solution that is dissolved in cool water and placed on the affected area to help the blisters dry more quickly. Plain cool compresses can also be used to help soothe the skin. Since this condition is contagious, steps must be taken to prevent infecting others, especially the elderly, pregnant women, those with suppressed immune systems and those who have never had chickenpox.
Prevention/Solution
There is no definitive way to prevent eye shingles. It affects both men and women and tends to be more common in the elderly. In the elderly that are at a high risk, a vaccine can be given to those over 60 years old, which may prevent a general case of shingles. However, the vaccine is ineffective in active cases of shingles. The vaccine can cause side effects and should not be used in those with weakened immune systems.
