Posterior Scleritis with Choroidal Effusion Secondary to Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a case of posterior scleritis with serous choroidal detachment that occurred as an acute complication of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO).

Methods: Retrospective case report.

Results: A 75-year-old female presented with 3 days of painful, decreased vision in her left eye 1 week after being diagnosed with HZO. She had unilateral crusted vesicular lesions in the V1 dermatomal distribution and corneal pseudodendrites. Funduscopic examination demonstrated a large choroidal detachment in her left eye. B-scan ultrasonography revealed unilaterally thickened sclera consistent with posterior scleritis. She was treated with oral prednisone and a 2-week course of intravenous acyclovir. Two weeks after the initiation of treatment, her vision had improved and she demonstrated complete resolution of her pseudodendrites, posterior scleritis, and choroidal detachment.

Conclusions: Prompt recognition and treatment of this unique combination of clinical manifestations of HZO resulted in significant improvement in vision and resolution of the scleritis and choroidal detachment.

Keywords: Choroidal effusion; herpes zoster; herpes zoster ophthalmicus; posterior scleritis.