Herpes Zoster eye disease is a viral condition caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus. The virus causes “chickenpox” during the first infection. After recovery from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in nerve roots throughout the body. Later in life, the virus can become reactivated and infect a specific area of the body that is supplied by a single nerve root. This condition is known as herpes zoster, or shingles. One of the most common locations for zoster to reactivate is in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation for the face. When the first branch (ophthalmic) of the trigeminal nerve is affected by herpes zoster, the condition is called herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). HZO classically causes a one-sided blistering rash of the forehead, scalp, and eye. The inflammation caused by HZO can damage any part of the eye and has the potential to temporarily or permanently impair vision. It is very important to have a thorough exam by an eyecare professional familiar with herpes zoster ophthalmicus if you develop a rash consistent with HZO or if you are diagnosed with HZO by any healthcare provider. Aggressive early treatment with antiviral medication can reduce the risk of further damage to your eye. After the initial episode has cleared, recurrence may occur at any time. Recurrences and chronic inflammation are more common in people over 80 years of age. Because of the recurrent nature of the disease it is important to have screening visits or to seek an eye care professional if you develop new symptoms such as blurry vision, eye redness, pain, sensitivity to light or other concerning changes.
In order to further medical knowledge for successful treatment of HZO, we are a participating clinical site for the Zoster Eye Disease Study (ZEDS). If you or a loved one is interested in taking part in the ZEDS study please click on the following link for more information: insert link here.
ZEDS Information and Resources
Zoster Eye Disease Study (ZEDS): Important Study on Shingles of the Eye
The Zoster Eye Disease Study (ZEDS), supported by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, aims to determine the best treatment to reduce the complications of herpes zoster ophthalmicus, also referred to as shingles of the eye. Our goals are to have a diverse group of study participants and to make the study as accessible as possible across the United States and Canada. Your participation in this research study will enable us to find the best treatment for zoster/shingles of the eye.
The purpose of this research study is to determine whether a low-dose of antiviral treatment taken by mouth for one year reduces complications of the varicella zoster virus, including eye disease and chronic pain. This treatment is effective and widely used in a similar eye disease caused by a related virus. The antiviral medication has been approved for many years for the short-term treatment of acute zoster/shingles and other viral infections, and has an excellent safety record. The study is designed to obtain the highest quality evidence to determine optimal care for future patients.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with eye disease caused by zoster/shingles, you can learn more about ZEDS by calling The Devers Eye Institute Cornea Service at (503)413-6530, or you can call the ZEDS Coordinating Center at NYU Langone Health at 1-844-NYU-ZEDS (1-844-698-9337).
You can also learn more on the ZEDS website or on clinicaltrials.gov.