The complications of herpes zoster ophthalmicus vary greatly among different patients. The major portion of the complications fall under four types: (1) keratitis, (2) iridocyclitis, (3) muscular palsies and (4) optic neuritis.
In about 50 per cent of all the cases the globe is affected, and in the majority of these (35 per cent of all cases) the cornea suffers.
Hutchinson stated that the globe is never affected except in cases in which the nasociliary nerve is affected, but exceptions to this rule have been reported. Thus, sclertitis, superficial keratitis, keratitis disciformis, interstitial keratitis and other forms of deep keratitis are rather commonly observed. In most of these keratitides the iris is also affected, and both hypotension and hypertension have been recorded. Worster-Drought1 stated that in 7 per cent of these cases the condition is associated with paralyses.
The third nerve is the most frequently involved, but it