Treatment For Shingles In The Eye
With a simple eye examination, your doctor can determine if you have shingles in your eye. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, you will be prescribed an antiviral medication. This medication can be in a liquid or tablet form and should be taken as soon as possible for the best results. Eye drops may also be recommended to reduce any inflammation.
Shingles in the eye can cause severe complications and must be addressed promptly. If youve had shingles in the past, or believe you may currently have shingles and are experiencing any of these symptoms, the experts at Eye Specialists of Louisiana are to help.
Preventing Shingles In The Eye
When it comes to shingles and especially ocular shingles prevention is the best medicine.
Fortunately, there are two shingles vaccines:
-
Shingrix A fairly new vaccine, Shingrix is recommended for adults ages 50 and over. You get Shingrix in two doses two to six months apart, and its more than 90% effective in protecting you from shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. Protection stays strong for at least four years after you get vaccinated.
-
Zostavax An older vaccine for shingles, Zostavax is a live vaccine that is less effective but may be used in healthy adults ages 60 and up if theres a reason they cant have Shingrix administered. For example, someone who is allergic to a component of Shingrix may opt for Zostavax.
The availability of a newer, more effective vaccine should prevent even more shingles outbreaks. We recommend the vaccine for all of our patients, Dr. Rapuano says.
WORRIED YOU MIGHT HAVE EYE SHINGLES ?Find an optician near you and schedule an appointment.
Page published on Sunday, 24 May 2020
Page updated on Wednesday, 2 February 2022
Find an optician near you
Treatment For A Pinguecula And Pterygium
Most pterygium and pinguecula dont bother patients or require treatment. But if you have a burning sensation or the sensation of something being in the eye, there are treatments available. Artificial tears, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroid drops are tried first. If they dont help, then surgery can also be used to remove the growth for functional as well as cosmetic reasons. Amniotic membrane grafts are often used to promote healing after surgery, offering minimal discomfort and scarring.
Recommended Reading: What Is Shingles Vaccination Called
Post Herpetic Neuralgia Phn
Perhaps the worst thing about shingles is the nerve pain that can persist for several months after the rash. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia and occurs in nearly half of all shingles patients over the age of 70.
Although this pain is not necessarily felt directly in the eye, it can be in the skin area around the eye if that area was affected by the disease. PHN can be severe and extremely debilitating and is one of the leading causes of depression and suicide in the elderly.
Shingles Of The Eye: Complications Symptoms And Treatment
Medically reviewed by Tina Patel on 6th September 2022
Shingles of the eye are also known as ophthalmic herpes zoster or herpes zoster ophthalmicus. It is a viral infection which causes a painful, blistering rash to appear in or around the eye. Shingles commonly affect the body more than the eyes and are caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus responsible for chickenpox.
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Certainteed Landmark Shingles
Shingles Or Something Else
Small blisters that appear only on the lips or around the mouth may be cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters. Theyre not shingles, but are instead caused by the herpes simplex virus. Itchy blisters that appear after hiking, gardening, or spending time outdoors could be a reaction to poison ivy, oak, or sumac. If you arent sure whats causing your rash, see your healthcare provider.
Also Check: Can You Get Shingles On Your Legs And Ankles
Can You Get Chickenpox In Your Eye
While you can’t get chickenpox in your eye, the same virus which causes chickenpox can cause shingles which you can get in your eye.
Once chickenpox has gone away, the virus lays dormant in the body and can reactivate at any time, causing shingles.
Shingles can affect the facial nerves causing one to experience eye-related symptoms such as shingles in the eye.
Read Also: Is Owens Corning A Good Shingle
Week Four: Healing Scabs
Most people with shingles do not develop a blister-related infection. Instead, scabs appear once the blisters dry up and crust over. That typically occurs seven to 10 days post-blistery outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its important to remember that until scabs appear, your blisters contain the virus, which can cause others to catch the chickenpox. Its also important to continue to wash the area with a fragrance-free cleanser daily until the rash, blisters and scabs are completely clear. Within a month, your skins appearance will most likely return to normal, though some people are left with darker or lighter spots where the shingles rash occurred.
Cases Of Shingles In The Eye Are Increasing
According to the University of Michigans Kellogg Eye Center, the incidence of herpes zoster opthalmicus rose substantially across the US between 2004 and 2016. There were 9.4 cases per 100,000 people at the beginning of the study. During the 12-year span of the study, the incidence more than tripled. There were 30.1 cases per 100,000 people by 2016.
Its unsettling to learn that a virus has been hanging around in your body since you were a kid. And the very same virus that gave you chickenpox when you were six might make you go blind when youre sixty-six. But there is significant good news.
Don’t Miss: Does Molina Cover Shingles Vaccine
How Do You Treat Shingles In The Eye
Treatments for shingles in the eye will aim to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.
Doctors may prescribe antiviral medication to address the viral infection. These can include acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir, and foscarnet.
Your specific treatment may depend on individual factors, such as whether you have a compromised immune system.
Other treatments are available on a case-by-case basis. If necessary, doctors may recommend additional treatments, such as:
- medications, including antibiotics or corticosteroids
Shingles Of The Eye Can Cause Lasting Vision Impairment
- By Miriam Barshak, MD, Contributor
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a viral infection known for its characteristic painful, burning, or itchy rash. This rash appears along a particular affected nerve, for example in a band on one side of the chest or abdomen that extends around to the back. In fact, the name shingles comes from cingulum, the Latin word for girdle, belt, or sash.
Shingles is caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. After the initial chickenpox infection resolves the virus lives on in nerves all over the body, but is kept in check by the immune system. The risk of shingles therefore increases with any process that can weaken the immune system, including age, illness, and immune-suppressing medications. About one million cases of shingles occur in the US each year.
Up to 20% of shingles episodes involve nerves of the head, where the infection can affect various parts of the eye, including the eyelid, the eye surface, and the deeper portions of the eye. Viral infection of the eye can cause pain, drainage, redness, and sensitivity to light. In some cases it can lead to vision impairment, including blindness.
Read Also: What Brings On Shingles Attack
How Can You Care For Ocular Shingles At Home
- Make sure to follow the medical advice of your doctor regarding prescriptions
- Avoid scratching or picking at any blisters
- Use a cold compress to relieve pain and itching
- Wait until the blisters have healed before you have close contact with people and avoid anybody most at risk such as pregnant women, young babies and those with a weakened immune system. The blisters contain the chicken pox virus which can be spread
You Cannot Get Shingles From Someone With Chickenpox
You cannot get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox.
But you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before.
When people get chickenpox, the virus remains in the body. It can be reactivated later and cause shingles if someone’s immune system is lowered.
This can be because of stress, certain conditions, or treatments like chemotherapy.
Also Check: Can Benadryl Help With Shingles
Measles Can Cause Eye Problems
Around the world, measles causes as many as 60,000 cases of blindness each year, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology . Other potential vision issues associated with measles include:
-
Red and watery eyes triggered by pink eye
-
Keratitis and scarring of the cornea
-
Childhood blindness
The measles vaccine is the best option for preventing the disease and, therefore, preventing measles-related vision problems.
SEE RELATED:5 ways measles can affect eyesight
Effective Vaccines Are Available For Shingles
The CDC has approved two vaccines for shingles and strongly recommends them for all those over age 50. The vaccine more highly recommended by the CDC is called Shingrix. According to the CDC, Shingrix is 97% effective at preventing shingles in adults aged 50 to 69, and 91% effective for those over 70.
Recommended Reading: How Contagious Is Shingles Virus
Shingles In Eye Without Rash
The pain, itching, and irritation of shingles may develop even without rash. Though primarily a painful rash is the most visible sign of shingles, shingles in eye may occur without rash in some people.
Before the rash, you may notice other symptoms such as burning pain and sensitive skin around eye. You are also like to experience itching, tingling in eye, constant aching and in some cases deep shooting pain inside your eye. Some people may experience fever, chills and stomach upset.
When a painful rash is the characteristic of shingles, the rash will often start as small painful fluid filled blisters. With eyes shingles, the blisters will continue to form for 2 to 4 days. The blisters may appear along the eyelids or spread to the tip and sides of the nose.
Similar to the rash and painful blister formed by chicken pox, the blister eventually burst and start to ooze. They will then crust over and heal. At this stage, the virus is very contagious. It can easily be spread to those not vaccinated or immune to the virus
Shingles without can be hard to diagnoses. Early medical diagnosis and treatment is required in such cases to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. Early treatment may also help reduce the risk of complication associated with varicella virus.
Herpes Zoster And The Eye
Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is caused by the same virus responsible for chicken pox.
After being infected with chicken pox as a child, the virus remains in your body in an inactive or dormant stage. Later in life, the virus can be reactivated if your bodys immune system breaks down. This may happen due to the normal aging process or a number of other factors, including:
- Illness, such as HIV
- Certain medications
What are the symptoms of herpes zoster?
The herpes zoster virus lies in a quiet or dormant period in nerve cells. When the virus is reactivated, the first symptoms are pain, itching and tingling of the skin, followed by redness, numbness and development of a rash. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters called vesicles that later break open and form crusty scabs. The outbreak of shingles typically lasts for a few weeks, but in severe cases, the rash can leave permanent scars, pain, numbness or skin discoloration.
If nerves of the eye are infected with herpes zoster, symptoms may also occur in the eye.
How does herpes zoster affect the eye?
A herpes zoster rash develops blisters that break open and form crusty scabs.
The herpes zoster virus can cause numerous eye problems, including:
More severe complications include glaucoma, cataract formation, double vision, and scarring of the eyelids and cornea .
How are eye symptoms treated?
Treatment for rash, inflammation, burning and pain may include the following:
- Cool compresses
You May Like: Side Effects Of Second Shingles
Shingles In The Eye: Symptoms And Treatment
By Eye Specialists of Louisiana
If youve ever had the chickenpox, there is a chance you may develop shingles. Shingles is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. This rash will break out across one side of the body with a burning or tingling sensation. It may also cause flu-like symptoms. There are more 200,000 cases in the United States each year. If you develop shingles, it is possible for the rash to appear on your face, and can even get into your eyes.
If shingles develops on your face, pay close attention to your eyes. Shingles in the eyes can create serious vision problems. The ocular surface can become swollen and inflamed, causing pain and blurry vision. Corneal ulcers can also develop and may lead to permanent scarring. The virus may even damage the corneal nerves causing chronic problems with ocular healing.
Symptoms Of Eye Shingles
The symptoms of shingles around the eye may be different from the symptoms of eye involvement. Symptoms of shingles around the eye area may include:
-
Tingling on the face
-
Shorten the length of a shingles outbreak
-
Make shingles less painful
-
Reduce chances of persistent nerve pain after the rash resolves
In addition to these overall benefits, prompt treatment of eye shingles with antiviral medication can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss.
Without antiviral medication, 50% of ocular shingles patients will develop eye disorders compared with only 25% of patients who take the medication.
Its crucial to begin taking antiviral medication within 72 hours of the outbreak of the skin rash. It should be started as soon as possible after the rash starts, Rapuano says.
If your doctor diagnoses eye involvement with your case of ocular or facial shingles, you may also need topical eye drops. There are two main types of eye drops for shingles:
-
Corticosteroid eye drops Steroid drops can reduce the eye inflammation caused by shingles, Rapuano says. This lowers the chances of complications from shingles of the eye.
-
Pupil dilating eye drops Your eye doctor also may prescribe eye drops to keep the pupils open for pain relief due to an internal ocular inflammation caused by shingles.
Also Check: What Are The Symptoms Of Shingles
What Are Eye Shingles
Eye shingles is a painful rash of the skin around the eye. It typically affects the forehead and skin of the upper lid. It also can affect the side or tip of the nose. If not quickly daignosed and treated, shingles in the eye can cause permanent damage to your vision.
Shingles on the face and eye is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles can be limited to the area around your eye or it can cause a painful red rash elsewhere on your body.
Over the past six decades, cases of shingles have been on the rise.
The number of cases of eye shingles in the United States tripled from 2004 to 2016, according to University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center.
Researchers found that people over age 75 have the greatest risk. Whites and women also present with a higher incidence of eye shingles.
What explains this increase? Weakening of the immune system from chronic diseases and stress are factors.
Dr. Christopher Rapuano, MD, chief of Cornea Service at Wills Eye Hospital, one of the top U.S. ophthalmic specialty hospitals, says few Americans are getting vaccinated for shingles, which is the best way to avoid the disease and protect your eyes.
Shingles can cause bad things to happen to the eyes, and some of those things can happen even with good treatment, he says.
First Signs: Burning Tingling Or Numbness Of The Skin
Usually, a small area of skin may burn, tingle, itch or simply feel very sensitive before any rash occurs, says Alina G. Bridges, D.O., an associate professor of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. This sensation can last roughly one to three days prior to skin lesions appearingand the discomfort can be intense. Its often mistaken for appendicitis, a heart attack or severe headache, says Dr. Bridges.
Don’t Miss: What Do I Do If I Have Shingles
Shingles Can Harm Your Eyes
Eyelid shingles can impact your vision and your comfort. But shingles can do even more. The virus can spread to tissues within the eye, and that can cause additional damage.
Researchers say 1 person in 100 can develop the ophthalmic version of shingles, and most who do are elderly. If you have the condition, you may visit your doctor complaining of:
- Vision changes.
- Redness in your eye.
- Welts around your eye.
Its important to get help right away when shingles appears in your eye, says Mayo Clinic. Shingles can cause longstanding problems with your vision, and in some cases, it can cause blindness. The sooner you act, the better.
You will probably be encouraged to get help, experts say, as shingles within the eye are excruciating. You might describe the pain as itchy, burning, or stabbing. It does not get better if you blink or rest. And it may feel worse with each passing day.
Shingles brings more than just extreme discomfort to the eyes. It can also weaken the structures within the eye, and that can increase your risk of other eye health problems. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says a case of shingles can up your risk of developing these issues:
If the welts appear on your cornea, they can leave scars behind. Those marks can blur your vision for years to come.
You May Like: How Much Are Cedar Shingles
Week Two: Possible Infection
It is important to wash your hands, keep the shingles rash and blisters clean and try not to scratch. Scratching blisters can cause infection, says Dr. Bridges. Cellulitis and impetigo are two secondary skin infections associated with shingles. Folks with a compromised immune system are far more likely to also develop these types of infections. If your shingles rash swells, become pus-filled or weeps, these are signs that you have, in fact, gotten a bacterial infection. A topical antibiotic may be prescribed to apply to lesions to treat an infection, says Dr. Bridges, noting that a topical can also help prevent infection.
Also Check: Why Does My Arm Hurt So Much After Shingles Shot