How does shingles occur in the eyes?
Shingles is caused by infection with the Varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus hides in the body’s nerve nodes.
Shingles can affect many parts of the body, depending. Which nerves the infection has spread to. In cases of shingles in the eyes, it is caused by an infection in the trigeminal nerve. Which controls facial muscles and sensations and is connected to the eyes.
What are the symptoms of shingles in the eyes?
Shingles usually affects one side of the eye, and may affect one eye or the entire face. Symptoms start with a burning sensation along the facial nerves, and the skin becomes irritated, swollen, red, and sensitive.
Followed by a red rash around the eyes and eyelids. Which may spread to the forehead, tip of the nose, wings of the nose, sides of the nose โปรโมชั่นพิเศษจาก UFABET สมัครตอนนี้ รับโบนัสทันที ( Hutchison’s sign ) and inside the eyes. The rash turns blisters and develops. There is often throbbing pain, redness of the eye, blurred vision, tearing , itchy eyes and sensitivity to light.
If infection spreads eye the infection persists. It can cause damage to other parts of the eye
- Conjunctivitis is a common condition that causes the conjunctiva to become inflamed, swollen, and red.
- Epithelial keratitis, an inflammation of the top layer of tissue of the cornea, occurs in up to 50% of people with shingles around the eye. It appears as specks or branching lines on the surface of the cornea.
- Stromal keratitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the cornea, occurring in approximately 5% of cases. It usually occurs. Symptoms are similar to herpes simplex infection. Usually chronic and respond well to corticosteroid eye drops.
- Uveitis, which can be an inflammation of the anterior or posterior portion of the eye.
- Retinitis is a severe inflammation of the retina, often occurring in immunocompromised people.
Factors that increase the risk of having shingles in the eyes
Factors that can make shingles infection spread to the eyes more often include:
- Shingles infection that spreads to the sides and tip of the nose, or Hutchinson’s sign, often carries a risk of the infection spreading to the eye.
- Age 50–60 years is the age range when shingles is most likely to occur. Symptoms usually more severe and last longer than usual.
- Immunodeficiency increases the chance of developing severe shingles, which can affect the eyes.
How to treat shingles in the eyes? Can it be cure?
Treatment for shingles in the eye is no different from treatment for shingles in other areas. The main principle is to use antiviral medication for 7–10 days to reduce the severity and duration of the infection, help the wound heal well, reduce the spread of the infection to others, and reduce complications to the eyes, especially using medication within the first 72 hours after the rash appears.