Herpes zoster ophthalmicus complicated by ipsilateral isolated Bell's palsy: a case report and review of the literature.

The objective of this study was to present a unique case of unilateral facial nerve palsy as an isolated complication of herpes zoster ophthalmicus. An 82-year-old immunocompetent male presented with a 1-week history of painful left scalp lesions. The diagnosis of left herpes zoster ophthalmicus with associated keratoconjunctivitis was established. A 7-day course of oral acyclovir (800 mg/day) along with topical prednisolone acetate 1% and moxifloxacin were started. Three weeks later, the ocular zoster involvement resolved and the vesicular lesions of the skin had regressed. However, the patient developed an isolated left Bell's palsy that gradually improved with conservative therapy. To the best of our knowledge, we present an unusual case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus complicated by an isolated ipsilateral Bell's palsy. The patient has had a near complete resolution of all symptoms after antiviral therapy for the zoster ophthalmicus component along with conservative management for the Bell's palsy.