title: [Prevention of ocular complications of herpes zoster ophthalmicus by adequate treatment with acyclovir].
abstract: We compared the frequency of severe ocular complications secondary to Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO) in 232 patients. They were divided into three groups: 1) patients without treatment (n = 164); 2) patients treated adequately (n = 48) with acyclovir (ACV; 5 x 800 mg/d orally and ophthalmic ointment 5 x /d for a minimum of 7 days, given within three days after skin eruption); and, 3) patients treated inadequately (n = 20) with ACV (only topical treatment, insufficient doses, interrupted treatment, delayed treatment). Patients with no treatment or with inadequate treatments showed the same frequency of severe ocular complications (21% (34/164) and 25% (5/20), respectively). In contrast, when adequate treatment of ACV was given complications occurred in only 4% (2/48) of cases. This study emphasizes the need for prompt (within three days after skin eruption) and adequate (5 x 800 mg/d for at least 7 days) treatment of ACV to prevent the severe complications of HZO.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules Gonin, Lausanne.
authors.forename: F X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Borruat
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Buechi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Piguet
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fitting
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zografos
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Herbort
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000212:Acyclovir
vernacular_title: Prévention des complications oculaires de l'herpes zoster ophtalmique par un traitement adequat d'acyclovir.