Complicated Ophthalmopathy in Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Including Vitreous Opacity, Retinal Hemorrhage and Optic Neuropathy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To introduce a case of complicated ophthalmopathy in herpes zoster ophthalmicus including vitreous opacity, retinal hemorrhage and optic neuropathy having components of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and optic neuritis. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old man visited our clinic because of visual disturbance in the right eye which occurred after right facial pain and vesicles. There were inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber, retinal hemorrhage in the retina and vitreous opacity was found. Track-like high signal intensity along the right optic nerve was found on T1 MRI. Partial filling defect of optic disc was observed on fluorescein angiography (FAG). The patient was diagnosed with herpes zoster ophthalmicus complicated by anterior uveitis and optic neuropathy having components of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and optic neuritis. The patient was started on intravenous acyclovir at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for 5 days and Herpesid eye ointment 5 times daily. After the initial treatment, oral acyclovir 400 mg was given 3 times daily for 14 days. Skin symptoms and fundus findings improved but the visual acuity did not improve because of optic atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmopathy including anterior uveitis, vitreous opacity, retinal hemorrhage and optic neuropathy having components of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and optic neuritis should be considered in herpes zoster ophthalmicus patients.