Herpes zoster eye complications: rates and trends.

Purpose: To provide population-based data on the risk, types, and outcomes of eye involvement in herpes zoster (HZ).

Methods: A cohort study based on review of the medical records of patients in whom HZ was diagnosed between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2007, was performed. Herpes zoster was confirmed by the presence of the typical rash and symptoms or by laboratory testing, and eye involvement was confirmed by ophthalmologists' evaluation.