Acute phthisis bulbi and external ophthalmoplegia in herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

A patient developed acute phthisis bulbi and external ophthalmoplegia with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). The clinical course and ocular complications of HZO are described briefly and the cause of phthisis bulbi and external ophthalmoplegia in zoster ophthalmicus is discussed. It is suggested that the acute hypotonia in HZO is due to an ischemic necrosis of the ciliary body, resulting from an occlusive vasculitis which may also be responsible for the external ophthalmolplegia.