Soft contact lens bandage for Ramsay Hunt syndrome with facial palsy

A patient under the primary care of a physician was referred to a military O.D. who subsequently referred the patient to the author as a consulting contact lens specialist. The patient exhibited the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and was unable to blink or close her right eye. Patching had been attempted but was discontinued due to the neuralgia of the epidermal tissue of the lids. A hydrophilic contact lens was used to bandage the cornea. The patient was thereby able to maintain corneal integrity until the viral problem subsided and she regained her ability to function normally through the interdisciplinary cooperation of the eye care of professionals.