Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus With Oculomotor Nerve Palsy

Editor, I read the recent publication on a case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus with oculomotor nerve palsy by Yildiz et al with a great interest(4). As Yildiz et al noted, this is a rare neurological complication of herpes zoster(4). Haargaard et al proposed that “Central nervous system involvement after varicella zoster virus infection is an uncommon, but potentially life-threatening, complication. (2)” This complication is usually acute(1) and the early antiviral treatment is not proved useful on the prevention(3). There is still no present recommended effective mean for prevention and treatment of this condition. Further research to assess the pathogenesis and natural history of oculomotor nerve palsy in herpes zoster ophthalmicus is recommended.