Herpes zoster virus sclerokeratitis and anterior uveitis in a child following varicella vaccination.

Objective: To report a case of herpes zoster virus sclerokeratitis with anterior uveitis following vaccination with live attenuated varicella vaccine (Oka strain).

Methods: Case report. Methods: The case records of the patient were reviewed retrospectively. Pertinent literature citations were identified using MEDLINE.

Results: A 9-year-old boy presented with herpes zoster ophthalmicus 3 years following vaccination with live attenuated varicella vaccine (Oka strain). Examination of the affected eye revealed a moderate follicular response on the palpebral conjunctiva, decreased corneal sensation, mildly elevated intraocular pressure, diffuse anterior scleritis with marginal keratitis, and a moderately severe anterior uveitis. Amplified DNA from fluid taken from the base of a cutaneous vesicle produced wild-type varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA, not Oka strain.

Conclusions: Herpes zoster virus infection needs to be considered in all patients who present with scleritis, keratitis, or anterior uveitis, regardless of their varicella vaccination status.