Many people do not know that it is possible to get shingles in the eyes.
The reason for this could be that this condition is quite rare, but it is a serious one.
The condition occurs when one of the nerves in the eye is infected by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus which is responsible for chicken pox.
In fact, people, who have previously had chicken pox, are more prone to getting shingles.
It is a known fact that after a person gets chicken pox, the virus does not disappear from the body.
Instead it lies dormant in some nerve cells.
As a person grows older, the immune system becomes weak and it is then that this dormant virus wakes up causing shingles.
Shingles in the eyes is medically termed as ophthalmic shingles, and around 20 percent of all people suffering from shingles have it.
It has been seen that usually people who are 50 years and above tend to get shingles in and around the eye.
The main symptom of shingles in and around the eye is a characteristic rash in the area.
The rash is red in color and could develop into blisters.
In fact, the rash is very similar to the blisters that appear due chicken pox.
However, the pain is very severe which usually comes on around 2 weeks before the rash appears.
Also, the skin around the eye will tend to become tender to touch.
The rash will keep developing for two weeks after which it will subside and start drying up.
During this period the person will have severe pain and itching in the eye, inflammation of the eye, excessive tear production and problems with the vision.
At times, the person can also suffer from low grade fever and fatigue.
Shingles in the eye should not be neglected.
You should immediately consult an ophthalmologist.
The condition can adversely affect your vision and also cause other eye-related problems like glaucoma, eyelid edema, blepharitis, retinitis, ptosis, optic neuritis, conjunctivitis and post-herpetic neuralgia.
It is affects your optic nerve, it can be damaging to your vision.