Complete ophthalmoplegia after zoster ophthalmicus.

Complete ophthalmoplegia following herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is rare. We report three cases of HZO-associated complete ophthalmoplegia and review thirteen additional cases reported in the English language medical literature over the past 30 years. HZO-associated complete ophthalmoplegia occurs mostly in individuals over the age of 50 years and usually occurs within one to two weeks of the development of cutaneous HZO. The prognosis for recovery is good, with-significant improvement typically seen within 2 months and complete or near resolution within 18 months time.