Welcome to Review of Optometry's Practice Pearl of the Week series. Optometrist Paul Karpecki will provide you invaluable clinical information and management strategies for a host of ocular conditions—from dry eye and corneal infection to retinal artery occlusion and neuro-ophthalmic disease.

Zostivax is live attenuated herpes zoster (HZ) virus that was tested on more than 38,000 patients over the age of 60.¹ Following testing, the researchers found that Zostivax yielded:

• More than a 50% reduction in the incidence of HZ.
• More than a 60% reduction in symptom severity in patients who developed HZ.
• A 66.5% reduction in postherpetic neuralgia.

Here are some other considerations about Zostivax:

• It was only studied in patients over the age of 60. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean that it won't work in patients less than 60 years of age.
• It can only be given to patients who know they've had chicken pox as a child. (Zostivax is a live attenuated virus, so this criterion must be present!)
• It may help patients who've had HZ already and worry about a recurrence; but, further study is warranted.

Some insurance providers cover Zostivax, while others do not. So, it is important for patients to check with their medical insurance carrier first—otherwise the cost is about $200 for the injection.

Remember, effectively answering your patients' medical questions (especially about a condition like HZ that frequently demonstrates ocular findings) will make you the doctor of choice for their family and friends!

For information on how to become one of the sponsors of Practice Pearls, please contact Review's publisher Rick Bay (rbay@jobson.com) or sales managers James Henne (jhenne@jobson.com), Michele Barrett (mbarrett@jobson.com), or Kimberly McCarthy (kmccarthy@jobson.com) for more details and pricing.