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Herpes zoster infection can occur on the skin. The scientific terminology for shingles in the eye is Herpes zoster opthalmicus. It is a Herpes infection in the eye.
The herpes zoster virus infests the nerve lining. In the case of eye shingle symptoms, the virus infests the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve.
In 20% to 70 % of patients infected with the virus in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, symptoms of the disease can be seen as shingles in the eye.
Complications And Long Term Effects Of Shingles In The Eye
The virus attack can sometimes be asymptomatic. In some cases, symptoms may show up due to the reactivation of latent viruses. Shingles in the eye can show up as rashes on and around the eyelid and on the eye itself.
The attack by the Herpes zoster virus may not remain confined to single virus activity alone. The condition may worsen as secondary infections by an attack from bacteria begin to show up.
There can be attacks from other viruses like Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, Varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Eye conditions that are most often attributed to bacterial infections can be complications of eye shingles disease. HerpaGreens is a powerful acting powder-based supplement that targets the elimination of the common herpes symptoms.
Apart from secondary infections, several allergic conditions in the eye can also show up as complications of eye shingles disease.
The following complications have been associated with eye shingles disease:
Eye rashes
Eye shingles disease symptoms may or may not show up as rashes. However, if rashes start appearing around the eye and even inside the eye, then that mostly points to a viral attack on nerves passing through the ophthalmic region.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis condition is pain and inflammation of the eyelid. Most often, the cause of blepharitis is bacteria and doctors prescribe antibiotics to cure the condition. Blepharitis can be of three types: anterior, posterior, and mixed blepharitis.
Anterior blepharitis
Effects of blepharitis on the anterior region of the eye include:
- Inflammation in eyelash base and follicles
- Redness along the eyelid margin
- Ulceration along the eyelid margin
- Crusting around eye lashes
- Blurriness of vision
- Sensitivity of eye to light exposure
- Eyelid stickiness
Posterior blepharitis
Blepharitis condition in the posterior region of the eye causes dysfunction of the meibomian gland. In posterior blepharitis condition, the meibomian gland secretes less meibom than normal. Due to dysfunction of the meibomian gland, there can be foam in tears, chalazia, scarring of eyelids and cornea, neovascularization and ulceration of the cornea, pannus and marginal infiltration. The effects of posterior blepharitis condition can be seen as:
- Swelling and redness of eyelids
- The sensation of burning and irritation in the eye
- Loss of lashes from eyelid
- Disorientation in the direction of eyelashes
Keratoconjunctivitis
Keratoconjunctivitis is a chronic allergic disease of the eye. Among children, the disease mostly shows benign and limited effects and vision is not affected. However, if not treated on time, the symptoms of the disease can show severe manifestations as the child grows up. The disease can become debilitating and cause vision impairment, loss of vision in adulthood.
Iritis
Inflammation around the middle layer of the eye or uvea and iris of the eye is a condition called iritis. Iritis can be acute and chronic. The acute type of iritis heals independently within a few weeks and improves quickly when treated with medicines. Chronic iritis can last for months and even years and does not respond well to treatment. Chronic iritis condition can seriously impair vision.
Scleritis
Severe and chronic pain and inflammation of the sclera in the eye is called scleritis. When pain and inflammation occur anterior to the insertion of recti muscles, it is called anterior scleritis. Inflammation in the eye region posterior to the insertion of recti muscles is called posterior scleritis.
Acute retinal necrosis
The cause for acute retinal necrosis is mostly attributed to the reactivation of latent viruses
Symptoms of Acute retinal necrosis are:
- Pain in the eye
- Loss of vision power
- Excessive sensitivity to light
- Redness in the eye affected
- Flu symptoms
- Floaters and flashes
Orbital apex syndrome
Orbital apex syndrome arises due to damage of the cranial nerves; there is visual damage combined with superior orbital fissure syndrome. The condition is accompanied by ophthalmoplegia and ptosis.
Treatment for eye shingles
If eye shingle disease is confirmed doctor can prescribe antiviral medicines like acyclovir, penciclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir.
The antiviral medicines reduce symptoms and risk of transmission though they don’t have termination mode of activity on viruses that antibiotics have on bacteria. When the virus leaves the body or becomes latent, a steady improvement of an eye condition can be seen. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic medications to take care of secondary infections and complications.