Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus in Otherwise Healthy Children
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.
Conclusion
In general, HZO seems to have a good prognosis in healthy children; nonetheless, some cases can present severe eye complications causing visual loss.
aDepartment of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, SP, UNIFESP Rua Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
bDepartment of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
Inquiries to Elisabeth N. Martins, MD, Rua Itapeva 518 cj 1208, CEP 01332-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
ABSTRACT