Bloodshot eyes... shingles?

This morning my boss noticed that my right eye was blood shot, and i was minorly worried about it. I kept working but now it is about 2 hours after lunch and i noticed my left eye is now blood shot as well.

I did sleep in my contacts last night, which i'm not supposed to do but i have done it before and this has not happened.

I am probably jumping the gun but i have had shingles around my right twice in my life and im only 17, could bloodshot eyes be a sign of shingles?

If not, what could it be? I am going to take out my contacts as soon as i get home, but if it doesn't go away what should i do? see a doctor? they feel minorly irritated but not pain and i wouldnt even say it itches, they just feel different

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Shingles would normally affect only one side - so I'm doubtful of that.  You eyes are probably red because you slept in the contacts which is not a good idea for you.  Stay out of lenses for a few days and see your doctor if it doesn't get any better.

MJK MD

[bv2666]

I WOULD LIKE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN "SHINGLES" AND EYE PROBLEMS REVIEWED.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A VIRAL ISSUE.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Do some research on herpes zoster ophthalmicus.  Basically with herpes zoster in the first division of the 5th cranial nerve (ie the forehead and upper lid and eye) sometimes there can be different degrees of inflammation in the eye with uveitis or keratits or both.  It is caused by a re-awakening of the varicella zoster virus from previous chicken pox.  There is a very important vaccine available now for certain people to help reduce chances of getting shingles or herpes zoster (but not 100% protective.)

Michael Kutryb, MD

[Kymber74]

My question is about shingles  and the eye. I have shingles on my middle left back. The Blisters have appeared ,a nd they are very itchy. I also went to the eye docter 3 days ago, complaining of a irrated Right eye. they docter did a full workup and said t looks like i had allregies, and gave me eye drops.  I wear gas permeable Contact lenses. So, no my right eye is VERY itchy, but nothing else worth noting. My question is could i have Shingles in my right eye, when i have it on my left side, and could I have had a check up 3 days ago ,and he had missed that?  Is shingles of the eye always accomponied by a rash or marks on the face, around eye, and or forehead, or can it spread to the eye internally without any outward signs? Thank you so much