Headache and vision changes in an elderly man with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

We present a case of an elderly, immunosuppressed patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was not appropriately vaccinated, and subsequently developed herpes zoster ophthalmicus, which initially presented similar to giant cell arteritis. Evidence-based vaccinations are integral in decreasing the incidence of preventable diseases and promoting optimal health at the individual and population level. Although the patient ultimately did not suffer any long-term adverse sequelae, this case highlights the importance of vaccination in the rheumatology setting, and to consider both inflammatory and infectious causes of headache and vision changes in the elderly. K E Y W O R D Sgiant cell arteritis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, rheumatology, vaccination