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Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO)

HZO occurs when latent varicella zoster virus (VZV), residing in the ganglion of the trigeminal nerve, reactivates and affects the ophthalmic nerve (V1). Primary infection with VZV commonly occurs in childhood as chickenpox. Anterior uveitis occurs in 40-50% of all cases of HZO (but only when the tip of the nose is involved).

Here is a good article from the British Medical Journal: Download H Zoster O

Image from BMJ article

 

Thoughts About the Shingles Vaccine

This short article from the NY Times may help you to decide if you want to get the vaccine.

If you get it at age 60 it decreases your chances of getting shingles by 64% in the next five years.

If you get it at age 70 it decreases your chances of getting shingles by 40% in the next five years.

If you get it at age 80 it decreases your chances of getting shingles by 18% in the next five years.

It is not known if the vaccine is still effective after five years.  The literature suggests that those who have had the vaccine seem to get milder cases of shingles.