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Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) disciform keratitis

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) disciform keratitis

Category(ies): Cornea
Contributor: Jesse Vislisel, MD, Jordan Graff, MD, Meagan Seay, DO
Photographer: Carol Chan, CRA

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the herpesvirus responsible for chicken pox and shingles. Disciform keratitis presents as a round or ovoid region of stromal and epithelial corneal edema, often with associated keratic precipitates underlying the involved area. It is primarily caused by a herpetic endotheliitis and cases of disciform keratitis caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) and VZV are clinically indistinguishable. This patient had a recent history of zoster in a V1 distribution with classic findings of disciform keratitis, including underlying keratic precipitates that are not easily visible in this photograph.