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Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

Photograph of herpes zoster ophthalmicus

This image was published in TP Habif, MD, Clinical Dermatology, A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy, 4th ed., p. 398. Copyright 2004 by Elsevier.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus). Herpes zoster is commonly called shingles. If shingles affects a certain nerve (trigeminal nerve) in the head, it causes itching, tingling, and a rash on the forehead, cheek, nose, and around one eye. It potentially threatens eyesight.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology
Last Revised March 18, 2011

Last Revised: March 18, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology

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