Herpes Zoster Anterior Uveitis with Hyphaema

Abstract

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus usually manifests in elderly people as a unilateral painful skin rash in a dermatomal distribution of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve shared by the eye and ocular adnexa. It is the reactivation of varicella-zoster infection. Most common ocular manifestations of this disease include keratitis, conjunctivitis, and anterior uveitis. Severe hyphemia as a complication following herpes zoster uveitis is uncommon. We report a rare case of a 90-year-old lady with herpes zoster ophthalmicus and diabetes mellitus with unusually severe hyphemia. The disease responded well to systemic and topical steroids with improved vision outcome. Early referral to an ophthalmologist, detailed evaluation, and immediate treatment are mandatory to prevent permanent vision loss in these patients.