Shingles Symptom and Effects in the Eye
ShinglesShingles, also called herpes zoster, it is a contagious disease. It is common that shingles occur on the trunk, but it is rare that it is in the eye. Many people even do not know that it is possible to get shingles in the eyes. Once you are unlucky to get it, it is suggested you should take some proper treatment, as it is dangerous, different from the shingles on the trunk.
The symptom occurs when the nerves in the eye is infected by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same virus that is responsible for chicken pox. Actually, people who have had chicken pox before, are more prone to getting shingles.
The main symptom in and around the eye is characterised by rash. At the beginning, the rash is is red in color, and could develop into blisters after a few days. The rash is similar to the blisters that of chicken pox, but, the pain is very severe compared to chicken pox which usually comes on around 2 weeks before the rash appears. In addition, the skin around the eye will tend to become tender to touch and there is burning hurt too. The rash will keep developing for two weeks, after that the blisters will subside and start drying up.
During this period, the patient will have heavy pain and itching in the eye, together with low grade fever and fatigue. For some serious case, some people will have problems with the vision.
For all patients, shingles in the eye should not be neglected. It may cause conjunctivitis- inflammation of conjunctiva, which is disease characterized by redness and often accompanied by a discharge. It also can lead to Scleritis, Episcleritis, Pseudodendrites, iritis, sterile ulcers, cloudy Immune Reaction, glaucoma, and PHN (shingles after pain) which can last for months and years.
Is shingles contagious? yes, the virus can pass to others by some way.