Herpes
Zoster infection may involve the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve
with lesions noted unilaterally in the classic distribution involving the
face, scalp, and forehead.In
addition, these lesions may involve the eyelids, as well as the side and
tip of the nose (#22184).Ocular
complications may occur in approximately 50% of patients with herpes
zoster ophthalmicus.Corneal involvement may be seen in several different forms.Patients may have an interstitial or stromal keratitis from this
infection which is characterized by vascularization deep in the corneal
stroma just anterior to Descemet's membrane(#22186).In addition, herpes zoster may lead to corneal ulceration (#22049)
and melting with eventual perforation.Histologically, the cornea show signs of a sterile melting with a
moderate, predominately lymphocytic infiltrate (#22187, #22189,#22190).
