Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.49(6) > 1008007

Jong, Min, and Lee: Two Cases of Optic Neuritis in Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

Abstract

Purpose

We report the treatment and prognosis of two patients who experienced pain in their face associated with skin lesions and acute decreased visual acuity and were diagnosed with optic neuritis caused by the herpes zoster virus.

Case summary

Two patients were diagnosed with herpes zoster ophthalmicus after experiencing an acute decrease in visual acuity and were sent to our clinic for examination. On ophthalmic evaluation, the results were positive for relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) and showed abnormal VEP levels. On MRI T1, one case showed a high signal along the optic nerve sheath. Both patients with optic neuritis were treated with Acyclovir (Zovirax®, GlaxoSmithKline, U.K.), which is an antiviral drug, at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for 5 days, and a combination of prednisolone at a dose of 250 mg every 6 hours. After general therapy, they took Acyclovir (250 mg) orally 3 times daily for 14 days, with steroids (40 mg), and decreased the dosage after two weeks. We saw no improvement of visual acuity in either case, which still showed RAPD.

Conclusions

Optic neuritis secondary to herpes zoster ophthalmicus rarely occurs, but it is difficult to treat and has a poor prognosis. We should keep in mind that optic neuritis can occur in patients who were diagnosed with herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

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Figure 1.
Skin eruptions corresponding to the dermatome of the left ophthalmic branch of the trigerminal nerve are seen.
jkos-49-1028f1.tif
Figure 2.
VEP (visual evoked potential) study stimulating with LED-Goggle and recording from scalp showed absent evoked potential on the right side and acceptable valules on the left side.
jkos-49-1028f2.tif
Figure 3.
Magnetic resonance imaging showed enlarged and well‐ enhanced right optic nerve sheath after contrast injection on T1 weighted sagittal image.
jkos-49-1028f3.tif
Figure 4.
The blister formation and parasthesis on the right side of forehead was seen.
jkos-49-1028f4.tif
Figure 5.
VEP (visual evoked potential) study. On the right side, the Latency of P2 was delayed and amplitude decreased. On the other side, the latency of P1, N1, P2 was delayed and amplitude decreased.
jkos-49-1028f5.tif
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