OV-02 for the Treatment of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus is caused by varicella zoster virus (Shingles) reactivation within the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. Patients with HZO first experience unilateral pain in the affected eye, forehead, and top of the head, followed by headache, malaise, and fever. These early symptoms precede eye complications such as keratitis, uveitis/iritis, and conjunctivitis. The disease can vary in severity from mild to serious and sight-threatening. Importantly, early diagnosis and treatment of this disease has been shown to be effective in preventing progressive corneal involvement and potential vision loss.
Herpes zoster infection is estimated to affect 3.07% of the United States population each year (Harpaz et al., 2008) (US Census Bureau, 2018).