Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox (virtually everyone), you are at risk of getting shingles.
- One of every three people 60 years old or older will get shingles.
- Half of these people will develop severe pain (post herpetic neuralgia) lasting months or even years.
- One in five cases involve the eye, which can lead to serious complications including chronic pain, glaucoma and severe vision loss.
For reasons not entirely clear, the incidence of shingles has been increasing dramatically in the last 15 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that half of individuals who live to age 85 will develop shingles.
The only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term problems that can ensue is to get vaccinated. Recently, the CDC lowered the recommended age for vaccination from age 60 to 50 and older.
The CDC recently approved a new vaccine, Shingrix, which is much more effective than the older vaccine.
Current recommendations include:
- Shingrix be used instead of the older vaccine, Zostavax.
- All immunocompetent individuals 50 or older receive the vaccine. Individuals with weakened immune systems including cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, patients with HIV/AIDS and individuals with certain allergies should check with their physicians.
- People who have had shingles in the past should still receive the vaccine.
- Individuals who have had the previous vaccine should have the newer one.
A prominent ophthalmologist who has written about the new vaccine puts it bluntly: “…Getting shingles in your eye is one of the worst things that can happen to an eye. It can literally go on for the rest of your life.”
Dr. Stephen H. Uretsky is a board-certified ophthalmologist with 30 years of practice experience who specializes in comprehensive eye care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Cape May Court House office at (609) 465-7926 or the Linwood office at (609) 927-3373. Visit online at www.CoastalJerseyEye.com.
