Zoster ophthalmicus may be a severe and dangerous manifestation of herpes zoster, often accompanied with agonizing pain and formidable involvement of various parts of the eye, and may result in panophthalmia, ulcerative keratitis, blindness, pyemia, meningitis and death.
The internal treatment of herpes zoster, as a rule, is directed toward relief of pain, and in severe cases complete protection of the part can be accomplished best by complete rest at home or in the hospital. Posterior pituitary (pituitrin®)1 given intramuscularly every other day is of value in relieving pain; sodium iodide2 given intravenously in 2 Gm. doses every other day has been successful in some cases; opiates may be administered hypodermically or orally, and recently aureomycin3 has been effectively used. Local treatment is primarily directed toward protecting the part from infection and obtaining relief from burning and itching. Aluminum acetate solution 1: 20 may be