Longer-term antiviral use by shingles patients cuts risk of vision loss

Researchers have highlighted the protective effect of taking antiviral medication for a year after contracting ocular shingles.

Findings from the Zoster Eye Disease Study (ZEDS) were presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s annual meeting (Chicago, 19 October).

The study involved more than 500 patients with ocular shingles from the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, with the trial running from November 2017 until January 2023.

Around half of the study participants received daily doses of the antiviral valacyclovirfor a year, while the other half of participants received a placebo.

The research team found that using valacyclovir for a year after contracting shingles decreased their risk of new or worsening eye disease by 26% at 18 months after commencing treatment.

This group was also 30% less likely than the group receiving placebo to have multiple ocular shingles flare ups at 18 months after initiating treatment.

Study co-chair, Dr Bennie Jeng, who is a director of the Scheie Eye Institute at Penn Medicine, highlighted that the antiviral in the study is already part of the regular clinical treatment for shingles.

“We hope that our work creates a relatively simple path towards preventing vision changes that can be life-altering,” he said.