ORBITAL APEX SYNDROME AND RUBIOSIS IRIDIS: RARE COMPLICATION OF HZO

Abstract

In early childhood, infection with Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) results in a disease entity known as chickenpox.  This virus remains dormant in the sensory ganglion of the cranial nerve for decades and its reactivation causes Herpes Zoster in the affected dermatome. Herpes Zoster ophthalmicus is a term used when the Varicella-Zoster virus is reactivated in the dermatome supplied by the ophthalmic division of the Fifth cranial nerve. Most patients present with a periorbital vesicular rash distributed according to the affected dermatome. Ocular involvement occurs in 20–70% of patients with HZO and may include Blepharitis, Keratoconjunctivitis, Iritis, Scleritis, and Acute Retinal necrosis.  Our article will be the first to report a case of a child who developed OAS  and Rubiosis iridis as a complication of HZO.