Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Chelation in Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Is Associated With a High Rate of Corneal Melt and Perforation.

PURPOSE: To examine the rate and risk factors for band keratopathy after herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) and the outcomes of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) treatment.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of all subjects with HZO seen at Auckland District Health Board between January 2006 and December 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 869 subjects with HZO were included in the study. Median follow-up was 6.3 years (total 5504.4 patient-years). Band keratopathy developed in 13 subjects (1.5%). On multivariate analysis, older age at onset [hazard ratio (HR), 1.092; P = 0.034], intraocular pressure ≥30 mm Hg at presentation (HR, 5.548; P = 0.013), and number of recurrences (HR, 1.849; P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk for band keratopathy. Corneal melt occurred in 22 subjects (2.5%) during the follow-up period. On multivariate analysis, uveitis (HR, 8.618; P = 0.004) and disodium EDTA chelation (HR, 8.666; P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk for corneal melt. EDTA chelation was performed in 8 subjects. Corneal melt occurred after EDTA chelation in 4 subjects, and corneal perforation occurred in 2 subjects. One subject was eviscerated due to severe endophthalmitis after repeated corneal perforation and another required enucleation for recurrent corneal melt and microbial keratitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Band keratopathy is an uncommon complication of HZO. Treatment with EDTA chelation might be associated with a significant risk for severe complications in these eyes and should be approached with caution.