Eye shingles

[TickTickBooooom]

I saw my GP on Wednesday who diagnosed shingles and prescribed a 7 day course of aciclovir, anti-viral medication because I am immune suppressed due to medication for autoimmune arthritis. I’m over half way through the course. Shingles are on my abdomen but look better.
Yesterday, I started with a shingles-like burning pain in my eye just like the abdomen pain. I noticed a faint rash mark on my eye.
As I’m on the anti-virals, do I need to do anything or wait it out?
Pharmacist was not helpful and suggested doing nothing except keep taking the aciclovir.
I am in agony with my eye but my vision is fine.

I would call the doctor back. If shingles spreads to your eyes it can cause sight loss. My mum had shingles in her eye and was immediately sent to a specialist eye hospital.

You definitely need some medical help with this ASAP. Eyesight is so precious - don't mess with it.

Poor you, my ex had this and ended up with scarring on his temple, he was a terrible picker though. Iirc his gp sent him to A&E, they just gave him the aciclovir though. Hope you feel better soon.

It seems really silly to visit the GP for the faintest red line on my eye but I’ll give them a ring tomorrow.

Thanks all.

You definitely need to seek medical advice - ophthalmic shingles can cause serious issues
I had it in feb last year and the blisters are nearly all gone but has left scaring

Hi, nurse practitioner here. We need to know about eye symptoms ASAP. You'll probably be referred to the nearest eye hospital.

Hi I had shingles in the eye. It was awful and I was really worried. My GP monitored daily and spoke to specialist at eye infirmary until shingles improved. They were wonderful.

Damn guess I’d better get in the telephone queue tomorrow morning. Let’s see how that goes!

Thanks again for the advice. Much much appreciation!

Couldn’t get a GP appointment. I’m wondering if i should contact my optician..?

Yes do contact your optician and don't stop trying to get through to the GP.

I suffer almost yearly with "eye herpes" usually in change of season or when I'm feeling run down.

It was misdiagnosed for 25 years as a bacterial infection and treated with chloramphenicol. A keen eyed doctor said it didnt look bacterial and and tested it to confirm its a cold sore.

I always keep a box of aciclovir on hand when I feel the tingle. If I catch it early, it typically clears up in 3 days but I have to keep taking the meds, 5 tabs a day for a week.

A conversation with your GP cant hurt but suspect they will tell you to see the course of anti-viral through.

Good luck!

Definitely get it checked as soon as you can. I had shingles spread to my eye 5 years ago which caused nearly 6 months of problems and multiple visits to the hospital eye clinic. Even after the shingles had cleared up, the problems with my eye kept recurring over the next few months and permanently damaged my tear ducts. Though I'm glad it was nothing worse.

Hopefully you've caught it early enough and can get it treated quickly.

@TickTickBooooom How did you get on with contacting the opticians/docs?

Just echoing what everyone else has said about how important it is to get this seen asap.

If you can't get through to the GP/optician maybe 111 who will hopefully tell you to go straight to your nearest ophthalmology department.

You need to get seen as an emergency. Did you tell receptionist at GPs surgery what you wanted to see Dr about? I'm astounded if they turned you away with suspected shingles in your eyes! I had it and was in hospital - it was awful. Was told to prepare for loss of sight. Luckily I recovered but I wouldn't waste any time in getting seen with this OP.

Optician said this is a GP job. I’m on hold again now trying to get through to then.
I’m considering a private GP appointment. It’s £80 and got to be worth it.

After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, I’m in hospital. Awaiting a bed and treatment. It’s been the longest day ever but I cannot fault the staff. They’re extremely busy. Hopefully it’ll be a brief stay.

Thank you for the encouragement. Knowing me, I probably would have ignored this!!

Glad you've been admitted to hospital. Hope you get the treatment you need and make a full and speedy recovery.

Hope your eye is better now ticktock and no permanent damage.

I have shingles round my eye eyebrow head and now eyelid. The GP gave me phone consult and antivirals but no mention of seeing optician should I go back to him ?