Herpes zoster ophthalmoplegia in two hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Two uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis developed ophthalmic herpes zoster (OHZ), rapidly complicated by external ocular motor palsies. A total third nerve palsy was present in one case, a third with pupil sparing and fourth nerve palsy in the other. The palsies fully recovered within eight and nine weeks, respectively. Relative lymphopenia and absence of vascular brain lesions suggest a viral origin in these immunosup-pressed cases.

Key Words:

• Ophthalmic herpes zoster
• external ocular palsies
• uremia
• hemodialysis