Herpes zoster ophthalmicus in otherwise healthy children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the complications of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) in children.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
In general, HZO seems to have a good prognosis in healthy children; nonetheless, some cases can present severe eye complications causing visual loss.
De Freitas
Denise
D
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, SP, Rua Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Martins
Elisabeth N
EN
Adan
Consuelo
C
Alvarenga
Lênio S
LS
Pavan-Langston
Deborah
D
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir