Herpes zoster related glaucoma

Abstract

Varicella-zoster virus causes two distinct syndromes. Primary infection presents as varicella (or chickenpox), a contagious and usually benign childhood illness that occurs in epidemics among susceptible children. The reactivation of the virus, usually associated with decline in cell-mediated immunity, occurs as herpes zoster (HZ) (shingles). Varicella is spread through droplet infection with an initial viremia, and subsequent viral spread to the skin and the eye. It is easily disseminated to susceptible individuals. Ninety-five percent of the population has serological evidence of prior VZV infection with or without symptomatic varicella. The incidence of varicella has diminished 70% after implementation of the varicella vaccine in 1995. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.