Sex: M
Vaccine: VARZOS
Symptoms: Loss of personal independence in daily activities, Ophthalmic herpes zoster, Optic ischaemic neuropathy, Optic neuritis, Photophobia
Clinical narrative: Information has been received from a lawyer regarding a case in litigation concerning a male patient of unknown age. No information has been received regarding the patient's past medical history, concurrent conditions, or concomitant medication. The patient was prescribed ZOSTAVAX by a physician during a routine physical examination for the long-term prevention of shingles. The physician told the patient that it was time to get the shingles vaccine because "everyone your age does."  On or about 01-APR-2016, the patient was inoculated with ZOSTAVAX (lot number, dosage and route of administration not provided) at a clinic (by an unspecified healthcare professional). The vaccine did not function as intended. The patient subsequently suffered from fever, extreme scalp sensitivity, and later optic neuritis, resulting in complete blindness from complications of the ZOSTAVAX vaccine and zoster related infections. On or about 20-JUL-2016, the patient began experiencing a low-grade fever and unbearable scalp sensitivity, which persisted for a period of eight days. On or about 30-JUL-2016, the patient begun to experience impaired vision, and was treated by an ophthalmologist/MD at an eye care center medical facility for treatment of his vision interference and light sensitivity. The patient was diagnosed with severe optic neuritis. The patient had never previously experienced eye issues prior to his illness. At his first encounter at eye care clinic, his vision measured at 20/20, despite his noticeable vision interference and diagnosis of neuritis. The patient was prescribed blood work at initial medical encounters, which determined that the eye issues were not caused by Giant Cell, or (as reported) and ruled out other unrelated optic issues as the source of the vision loss. On or about 10-AUG-2016, the patient sought subsequent treatment from the ophthalmologist/MD at the eye care clinic for ongoing and worsening vision issues, at which time tests revealed that his eyesight has diminished to 20/400 in his left eye. The patient was prescribed steroid therapy by his ophthalmologist, and a temporal artery biopsy was ordered. The patient later underwent surgery, performed by a medical doctor (MD) to remove a portion of his temporal artery in hopes to restore his failing vision. The surgery revealed that the temporal artery was normal, and was not the source of his vision problems. At this time, the interference was determined to be viral, and the patient was prescribed VALTREX to treat herpes zoster keratitis. Despite antiviral therapies, the patient's vision continued to worsen. The patient was referred to a neuro-ophthalmologist specialist, who ordered further testing ruling out all other possible causes of vision loss. Because the patient's eyesight had declining so severely, the neuro-ophthalmologist, ordered the patient to be hospitalized in late AUGUST 2016. On or about 23-AUG-2016, the patient was admitted to a medical center (hospital), where he underwent plasmapheresis treatment, received through a tunnel catheter inserted into his chest. The patient received plasmapheresis therapy for seven days. At the conclusion of the treatment, further testing revealed severe loss of vision in both eyes that was not resolved by aggressive treatment. The patient was treated with increasing dosages of VALTREX, which were ineffective in curbing his condition. During AUGUST 2016, the patient also began seeing another ophthalmologist/MD, who tested that his vision has decreased to 20/400 in both eyes, and noted that the patient experienced extreme sensitivity to light. The patient was diagnosed with Ischemic Optic Neuropathy secondary to zoster virus in both eyes, which has resulted in catastrophic and irreversible loss of vision. As a proximate cause of the complications the patient suffered from the ZOSTAVAX vaccine, and or despite having use ZOSTAVAX for the long-term prevention of shingles, the patient is legally blind, and cannot maintain a normal or independent lifestyle, which has resulted in anxiety and depression. As a direct and proximate result of the ZOSTAVAX vaccine and or despite receiving ZOSTAVAX for the long-term prevention of shingles and zoster virus, the patient suffered painful injuries and damages, and required extensive medical care and treatment. As a further proximate result, the patient has suffered and will continue to suffer significant medical expenses, and pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages. The patient's spouse at all times relevant to this action, has been the patient's primary caregiver at the time of the ZOSTAVAX vaccine, during treatment of the ensuring illness, in the wake of the patient's permanent injuries, and to current date. The reporter considered the events to be related to ZOSTAVAX. The outcome of the Complete blindness from complications of the ZOSTAVAX vaccine and zoster related infections/Severe loss of vision in both eyes/Catastrophic and irreversible loss of vision, Sought subsequent treatment for ongoing and worsening vision issues, at which time his eyesight has diminished to 20/400 in left eye, Vision has decreased to 20/400 in in both eyes was not recovered. The outcome of the other events was unknown. Upon internal review, diagnosed with severe optic neuritis, Herpes zoster keratitis, Ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to zoster virus in both eyes, Complete blindness from complications of the ZOSTAVAX vaccine and zoster related infections/Severe loss of vision in both eyes/Catastrophic and irreversible loss of vision, were determined to be medically significant events. The events of diagnosed with severe optic neuritis, Herpes zoster keratitis, Ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to zoster virus in both eyes, Complete blindness from complications of the ZOSTAVAX vaccine and zoster related infections/Severe loss of vision in both eyes/Catastrophic and irreversible loss of vision, The ZOSTAVAX vaccine did not function as intended, Sought subsequent treatment for ongoing and worsening vision issues, at which time his eyesight has diminished to 20/400 in left eye, Vision has decreased to 20/400 in in both eyes, Cannot maintain a normal or independent lifestyle, Unbearable scalp sensitivity, anxiety, and depression are considered disabling. Additional information has been requested.