Anatomical Supply and Distribution of the Offending Nerve Branch as regards Varicella Zoster Ophthalmicus Disesase
HZO occurs primarily owing to trigger or reactivation of VZV within the trigeminal nerve ganglion.
As explained in the previous writeup, the ganglion of the fifth cranial nerve harbours and houses a latent or inactive varicella zoster virus which can be reactivated due to stress, use of immunosuppressive drugs, recent transplant patients, weakened immune system, malnutrition, exposure to harsh weather conditions and once reactivated the recipient tissues of this nerve supply would be affected and respectively display their symptoms and signs.
However, VZV reactivation in trigeminal ganglion predominantly affects the first branch known as the ophthalmic nerve, for reasons not clearly understood.
The ophthalmic nerve itself supplies and divides into three branches: the supraorbital nerve, the supratrochlear nerve, and the nasociliary nerve as subdivision of the opthalmic branch of the major cranial nerve V.
"Any combination of these nerves can be affected in HZO, although the most feared complications occur with nasociliary nerve involvement, due to its innervation of the eye. The supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves mainly innervate the skin of the forehead. The frontal nerve is more commonly affected than the nasociliary nerve or lacrimal nerve."Source
Treatment of Varicella Zoster Ophthalmicus
VZO as an infectious disease is usually treated through the use of antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famcyclovir by oral route of administration.
Although any of these three aforementioned antivirals can administered as treatment drugs, there is still some existing doubts as to the difference in their therapeutic effect in the body system of the living cells.
On the other hand, antiviral eye drops have been noticed by clinicians been inadequately effective as it only act on a single part of the affected facial tissues and also it doesn't seems to weaken the varicella zoster virus which right from the ganglionic source.
Last but not least, these antiviral medications produces best efficacy and reliable therapy provided they were administered within 3 days of the start of the skin rashes.
Early use of medications is very important for stopping the complications of any infections or even non-infectious diseases as this helps to prevent the spread and curb the disease, signs and the symptoms at the early with little or no cellular damages and life threatening complications as the case maybe. Medications works better with earlier administration and effective follow-ups and recalls.
That's all as regards the concluding part of zoster infection of the opthalmic nerve branch of the trigeminal nerve at least for now on this lecture. Thanks for the usual support given for these informative articles, it is so far good and encouraging and better.
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