Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus in Otherwise Healthy Children

De Freitas, Denise; Martins, Elisabeth N.; Adan, Consuelo; Alvarenga, Lênio S.; Pavan-Langston, Deborah

doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2006.03.059

« Previous Next »American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 142, Issue 3 , Pages 393-399.e2, September 2006

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus in Otherwise Healthy Children

Denise De Freitas, MD
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, SP, UNIFESP Rua Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
Elisabeth N. Martins, MD
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, SP, UNIFESP Rua Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- Inquiries to Elisabeth N. Martins, MD, Rua Itapeva 518 cj 1208, CEP 01332-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Consuelo Adan, MD
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, SP, UNIFESP Rua Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
Lênio S. Alvarenga, MD
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, SP, UNIFESP Rua Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
Deborah Pavan-Langston, MD
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

Accepted 29 March 2006. published online 23 May 2006.

Purpose

To evaluate the complications of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) in children.

Design

Prospective-observational case series.

Methods

Ten healthy patients (five boys, five girls) with HZO were prospectively followed. Data regarding best-corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure, corneal sensitivity, and funduscopy were collected. The median duration of follow-up was 19 months (range eight to 78 months).

Results

The mean age at presentation was 8.7 years (range two to 14 years ±3.95). At last visit, two patients (20%) had decreased visual acuity and nine (90%) had some degree of abnormal corneal sensitivity and corneal opacity despite good final visual acuity.