Eye Shingles

[ticha]

I'm 19 years old and had shingles last year too.  It has reocurred this year but it has effected my eye this time.  I bruise easily but I live a very active lifestyle.  I'm on several sports teams and do regular physical activities six times a week.  I'm on my fifth day of blistering and my eye hurts all the time.  Generally, how long until I can rejoin my team on the floor?  Less than a week.. more than a week?  I read online that I should wait until the blister crusts over, is this correct?


This discussion is related to Shingles and eye pain.

[ticha]

I have seen the doctor.  i am taking prescribed eye drops 3 times a day (starts w/ the letter V).  It seems to be working.  My eye hasn't crusted but the swelling has gone down significantly and there's less pain.  If it doesn't crust at all, how do I know when I can play sports again?  When I have no pain?  

If I get hit in the eye, is it true that I have a higher chance of permanent damage simply due to the fact that I had shingles in the eye & it's weaker now?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

You need to see a doctor.  This is very unusual.

Dr. O.