Cases of Oculomotor Nerve Palsy in Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report two case of oculomotor palsy accompanied by herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). CASE SUMMARY: Two patients with HZO who were suffering from skin lesions, facial pain, and medicated with an antiviral agent from the dermatologic department, were diagnosed with oculomotor palsy. They presented with ptosis, dilated pupils, and ophthalmoplegia after 10 days, and 4 days after began developing skin lesions. They were diagnosed with HZO-induced oculomotor palsy and the ophthalmoplegia improved in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Oculomotor nerve palsy rarely occurrs in HZO patients and is usually followed by skin lesions. We recommend examinations for functions of extraocular motility, ptosis, and pupil to diagnose and treat the HZO-induced oculomotor nerve palsy even if consulted with the dermatologic department or only showing mild conjunctivitis, episcleritis, or keratitis.