Special form of the shingles on the head | Shingles on the head

Special form of the shingles on the head

The viruses often spread into the eyes via a branch of the trigeminal nerve (sensitive supply of the face). This is called “Zoster ophthalmicus”. Numerous infections are possible due to the spread of the viruses into the various tissues of the eyes.

This often leads to superficial conjunctivitis or an infection of the cornea (keratitis). In rare cases, however, an infection of the cornea or retina as well as an increase in intraocular pressure (secondary glaucoma) is also possible. As the infection progresses, there is a risk of permanent blindness due to the infestation of the retina.

In addition to the eye-specific symptoms, patients often report severe pain in the area of the forehead, the bridge of the nose and the tip of the nose. At the beginning of the disease there is often a reddened, blister-like skin lesion in the area of the tip of the nose (Hutchinson’s sign), which can be an early indication that the infection has spread to the eyes.