Here are five takeaways:
1. Frederick W. Fraunfelder, MD, chair of the department of ophthalmology at the MU School of Medicine and director of MU Health Care’s Mason Eye Institute, explained keratitis, or inflammation of the clear layer on the front of the eye, is a vision issue that can cause serious complications or even permanent damage to one’s vision if left untreated.
2. Dr. Fraunfelder and researchers found at least 20 cases of keratitis occurred in children and adults within a month of administration of the chickenpox and shingles vaccine. While a rare occurrence, it’s important for physicians to know when giving the vaccine to individuals who have a history of the condition because it could be reactivated by the vaccine.
3. For adults, symptoms of keratitis developed within a 24 days of vaccination, and for pediatric patients, symptoms of inflammation developed within 14 days.
4. Despite the probable relationship between the vaccine and keratitis, researchers recommend the majority of patients still be regularly vaccinated against chickenpox and shingles.
5. Dr. Fraunfelder said patients who have a history of keratitis should talk to their primary care physician before getting vaccinated.
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