PubMed ID: 28291069
Author(s): Weinlander EJ, Wang AL, Jaru-Ampornpan P, Altaweel MM, Nork TM. Two cases of acute retinal necrosis due to varicella zoster despite prior shingles vaccination. Retin Cases Brief Rep. 2019 Summer;13(3):241-243. doi: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000000567. PMID 28291069
Journal: Retinal Cases & Brief Reports, Volume 13, Issue 3,
PURPOSE To review two cases of acute retinal necrosis in adults due to varicella zoster virus despite prior shingles vaccination.
METHODS Retrospective chart review.
PATIENTS A 62-year-old man and a 64-year-old man with unilateral acute retinal necrosis who had shingles vaccinations 16 and 7 months before their ocular symptoms.
RESULTS Polymerase chain reaction confirmation of varicella zoster virus in the anterior chambers of both patients. Both patients had good responses to oral antiviral therapy and topical and/or oral steroids.
DISCUSSION These two cases demonstrate that singles vaccination is not an absolute protection against varicella zoster virus-related acute retinal necrosis. However, such vaccination may reduce the severity of the acute retinal necrosis.