Visual prognosis in immunocompetent patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Purpose: To determine the normal spectrum of ocular complications and associated visual outcome in patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 73 immunocompetent adults with herpes zoster ophthalmicus, referred by their general practitioners within 7 days of skin rash onset. The follow-up period was 6 months.

Prognostic value of Hutchinson's sign in acute herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Purpose: To determine the prognostic value of nasociliary skin lesions (Hutchinson's sign) for ocular inflammation and corneal sensory denervation in acute herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Methods: A longitudinal observational study with a 2-month follow-up was performed involving 83 non-immunocompromised adults with acute herpes zoster ophthalmicus, with a skin rash duration of less than 7 days, referred by their general practitioner. All skin lesions at the tip, the side and the root of the nose, representing the dermatomes of the external nasal and infratrochlear branches of the nasociliary nerve, were documented by taking photographs and marking anatomical drawings.

Histocompatibility and corneal transplantation.

Background: HLA typing and matching have been poorly implemented in corneal transplantation, mainly because of inconclusive or contradictory analytical results. Consequently, we studied the immune response of corneal transplant recipients to HLA histoincompatibilities in a large homogeneous study.

Methods: All corneal transplantations were performed by a single surgeon in a single center between 1976 and 1996.

Longitudinal analysis of varicella-zoster virus DNA on the ocular surface associated with herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Purpose: Longitudinal analysis of varicella-zoster virus DNA on the ocular surface of patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Methods: Clinical specimens were obtained from the bulbar conjunctival surface with a cotton-tipped swab at weekly intervals for 6 consecutive weeks from 21 patients with acute ophthalmic zoster with a skin rash duration of less than 7 days. All patients received oral valacyclovir 1000 mg three times daily for 10 days without additional corticosteroids.

Risk and prognostic factors of postherpetic neuralgia and focal sensory denervation: a prospective evaluation in acute herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Objectives: To determine the general risk and the prognostic factors of postherpetic neuralgia and focal sensory denervation in ophthalmic zoster disease.

Study Design: A prospective clinical study.

Setting: An ophthalmic practice participating in an eye-care network.