Herpes zoster sine herpete presenting with hyphema.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of herpes zoster sine herpete presenting with hyphema.

METHODS

A 69-year-old man was referred for traumatic hyphema and corneal edema in his left eye after a sandblast exposure three weeks previously. Slit-lamp examination demonstrated hyphema, anterior chamber inflammation, mid-dilated pupil, impaired corneal sensation, and high intraocular pressure, without any facial skin lesions. Iris fluorescein angiography revealed tortuosity and extensive occlusion of iris vessels. The patient was treated with oral acyclovir and intensive topical steroids with a presumed diagnosis of severe herpes zoster uveitis.

RESULTS

Clinical findings improved dramatically within several days. Typical sectorial iris atrophy with pupillary sphincter dysfunction and complete loss of corneal sensation developed after the resolution of intraocular inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Herpes zoster should be considered in patients with uveitis and hyphema even in the absence of typical skin rash.