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What Do Cloudy Vision When Diagnosed With Shingles In The Eye Indicate?
Question: I have Shingles in my R eye and am taking Valacyclover 500mg qd. Had eye drops also, I have had several episodes of cloudy vision in my R eye and am concerned.
To add, I visit the eye Dr with each episode of cloudy vision and he checks vision, then start increase prednisolone drops and usually follow up in a week.
Can I expect these episodes all the time, and why?
To add, I visit the eye Dr with each episode of cloudy vision and he checks vision, then start increase prednisolone drops and usually follow up in a week.
Can I expect these episodes all the time, and why?
Brief Answer:
Continue Valacyclovir if you have eye shingles- you need some tests
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and undestand your concern.
Shigles in the eye is an infection caused by a virus that "sleeps" in the ganglions (neurological structures) and go back through the nerve and cause infection time after time. This is the reason you are having these infections. Valacyclovir is a very good medication to help control the episode.
I do not understand why your doctor has prescribed local steroid drops as they might precipitate or worsen shingles in the eye. On the other hand if local steroids are used for a while in the eye might cause cataract which might be a reason for reduced visual aquity.
What I would recommend is:
1. have a visual aquity check and visual field check
2. Have a slit lamp examinaiton of the eye to check the eye structures and see for cataract and other structural problems in the eye
3. Do a fluoresceine eye examination to check for corneal scarring due to the shingels infections
3. Checking the intraoccular pressure is imortant also
4. If you have not done in the last 2 years a general check with blood presure measurements and some blood tests like CBC with ERS, check or lipids, check for diabetes, kidney function; this is the time to have it done and make sure you are healthy and do not have other medical conditions that might affect the vision.
Hope this is helpful and answers to your question.
Kind Regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
Continue Valacyclovir if you have eye shingles- you need some tests
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and undestand your concern.
Shigles in the eye is an infection caused by a virus that "sleeps" in the ganglions (neurological structures) and go back through the nerve and cause infection time after time. This is the reason you are having these infections. Valacyclovir is a very good medication to help control the episode.
I do not understand why your doctor has prescribed local steroid drops as they might precipitate or worsen shingles in the eye. On the other hand if local steroids are used for a while in the eye might cause cataract which might be a reason for reduced visual aquity.
What I would recommend is:
1. have a visual aquity check and visual field check
2. Have a slit lamp examinaiton of the eye to check the eye structures and see for cataract and other structural problems in the eye
3. Do a fluoresceine eye examination to check for corneal scarring due to the shingels infections
3. Checking the intraoccular pressure is imortant also
4. If you have not done in the last 2 years a general check with blood presure measurements and some blood tests like CBC with ERS, check or lipids, check for diabetes, kidney function; this is the time to have it done and make sure you are healthy and do not have other medical conditions that might affect the vision.
Hope this is helpful and answers to your question.
Kind Regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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