Presentations of cranial nerve involvement in two patients with Herpes zoster ophthalmicus

Two cases of Herpes zoster ophthalmicus complicated by motor nerve palsies are being reported. The investigations ruled out other diseases which can affect ocular motor nerves, e.g., diabetes, hypertension, syphilis and malignancy. The cases are being reported because of the rare presentations of Herpes zoster ophthalmicus like isolated internal ophthalmoplegia and VI nerve palsy in Case-1 and absence of iritis with third nerve involvement in Case-2. The probable etiology for occurrence of these uncommon phenomena has been postulated.