Presumed bilateral herpes zoster ophthalmicus in an AIDS patient: a case report

• Published in: Cornea Vol. 15; no. 6; p. 633
• Main Authors: Yau, T H, Butrus, S I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-11-1996
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - complications; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - drug therapy; Adult; Capsaicin - therapeutic use; Erythromycin - therapeutic use; Herpes Zoster - complications; Herpes Zoster - drug therapy; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus - complications; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus - drug therapy; Humans; Keratitis - drug therapy; Keratitis - etiology; Male; Ointments; Skin Diseases, Viral - complications; Skin Diseases, Viral - drug therapy; Uveitis - drug therapy; Uveitis - etiology; Virus Activation
• ISSN: 0277-3740
• DOI: 10.1097/00003226-199611000-00015

A 31-year-old man with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome presented with herpes zoster ophthalmicus on the right. Five days after he began treatment for the zoster pseudodendrites and skin lesions, he developed superficial punctate keratitis, uveitis, and crusting skin lesions in the left eye. After treatment, the ocular lesions resolved in both eyes without incident. The bilateral manifestation of herpes zoster ophthalmicus is a result of the increased severity associated with immunosuppression caused by the human immunodeficiency virus.