Abstract:
Ophthalmic herpes zoster, a manifestation of the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in the region of the trigeminal nerve, is primarily diagnosed based on the clinical characteristics of skin lesions and their localization. Ocular complications, including oculomotor paralysis, require early antiviral treatment to minimize ocular damage. We report the case of a 38-year-old woman presenting typical symptoms of ophthalmic herpes zoster, associated with complete oculomotor nerve III palsy and zoster encephalitis. Antiviral treatment with acyclovir led to a significant improvement. However, the patient retained corneal anesthesia resulting in the formation of a neurotrophic corneal ulcer. The risk of ocular complications associated with ophthalmic herpes zoster is real. The most serious are corneal complications and oculomotor paralysis, highlighting the crucial importance of early antiviral treatment to prevent these complications which can adversely affect the functional prognosis of the eye.
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