Unilateral optic neuritis in a case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus

Abstract

A 48-year-old white male presented with sudden loss of vision. He had vesicular eruptions of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) at that time. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200 in the left eye and 20/20 in the right eye. His ocular examination revealed that he had optic neuritis ( ON) secondary to HZO. An extensive diagnostic work up revealed no underlying immunocomprise. The patient was given intravenous aciclovir along with oral prednisolone. At the twelfth month of follow-up, the vision is 20/40 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. In conclusion, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is needed to restore some useful vision in cases with ON secondary to HZO.