Contributor: Gordon K. Klintworth
Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral infection that occurs in adulthood on reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. Following varicella the varicella-zoster virus establishes foci of latent infection in dorsal root ganglia.  Herpes zoster is characterized by the development of a vesicular rash in the distribution of  a dermatome. Involvement of the first division of the trigeminal nerve results in  herpes zoster ophthalmicus. Several months after ocular herpes zoster infection a late, deep, localized episcleritis and scleritis may occur.