Diagnosed with Shingles

[whickc]

I was diagnosed with Shingles 3 days ago and have been taking anti viral and pain control medications since then. The rash is from my forehead over my right eyebrow into my head but luckily no blisters below my eyebrow. My eyelid has been gradually becoming more swollen and so it is drooping very badly where I am having trouble with my vision and it feels as though something is irritating the eye surface. I am having alot of pain around the eye and also my ear. I am 38 year female otherwise healthy and want to know will my eye return to normal once the rash dissappears or should I return to my doctor for further treatment or medication. I am anxious to avoid any long term damage.

Many thanks for your time,

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

good luck
JCH MD

[whickc]

Thank you very much for your advice. I am in the UK and went back to see my GP today. He performed a test on my eye using an orange dye and thankfully there was nothing on the eye itself. He gave me some anti viral ointment for the eye and is hopeful I will have no damage. Thank you again for your time.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You need to see a Eye MD ophthalmologist tomorrow to be sure the shingles has not gotten on the surface of or in the eye.  Call your MD early AM and ask him to get you in to his favorite ophthalmologist tomorrow.  

Shingles in the eye can cause permanent damage and requires special treatment different than the oral antivirals.

NOTE TO READERS:

THERE IS NOW A SHINGLES VACCINE AND IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR EVERYONE OVER 60. IT REDUCES THE CHANCE OF GETTING SHINGLES BY 50%. ASK YOUR MD ABOUT IT  

jch md