Eye Shingles May Increase Stroke Risk
People who have had shingles in the eyes may have a greater risk of stroke in the next year, a new study suggests. Researchers looked at insurance records for 658 adults who had shingles in their eyes. This is also called ophthalmic or ocular shingles. It causes pain, itching and blisters around or in the eye. Researchers compared these people to others the same age and sex who did not have shingles. About 8% of the group who had shingles of the eye had a stroke in the next year. Only 2% of the shingles-free group had strokes in that year. Researchers then adjusted the numbers for differences between the two groups â such as high blood pressure â that could affect stroke risk. People who had ocular shingles still showed the same higher risk. The study appeared in the journal Neurology. Reuters Health news service wrote about it March 3.