Am Orthopt J    43:130-134  (1993)

Ocular Palsies in Ophthalmic Zoster

Jocelyn Zurevinsky, O.C.(C.)

Of all ophthalmic zoster cases, seven to 31% involve the nerves supplying the extra ocular muscles, the third nerve being the most often affected. Some believe muscle palsies may not develop until as late as two years after the rash. Many dispute the chance of full recovery of muscle function. We present four patients with zoster who developed ocular palsies. Two had third nerve and sixth nerve involvement. One had only third nerve involvement and the fourth had only sixth nerve involvement. One patient developed paresis four weeks after onset of the rash. Two recovered fully.

© 1993 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System