Hemorrhage and Subconjunctival Vesicle Complicating Varicella in a Child: A Case Report

Chickenpox, a common disease caused by the herpes zoster virus, often manifests itself as a blistering rash in children. However, rare ophthalmological complications can sometimes occur. We describe here an exceptional case of a 10-year-old child diagnosed with chickenpox who developed typical cutaneous vesicles associated with febrile symptoms. On day 3, painless ocular redness in the left eye was observed, leading to an ophthalmological consultation. Examination revealed a subconjunctival hemorrhage and a subconjunctival vesicle, with no other major ocular complications. Treatment was symptomatic with antihistamine eye drops, artificial tears, and eyewash, leading to improvement after five days and complete healing after a fortnight. Ocular complications of chickenpox are rare but can be serious. Subconjunctival hemorrhage, generally benign, is due to a vascular rupture associated with fever or coughing. Subconjunctival vesicles, rarely reported, are the direct result of a VZV viral infection of the conjunctiva. Although these complications do not usually threaten vision, careful monitoring and ophthalmological care are necessary. This observation underlines the importance of varicella vaccination in preventing complications, including rare ocular manifestations.