AIM: To evaluate the effect of He-Ne laser combined with TDP irradiation in the treatment of herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

METHODS: Totally 22 patients(22 eyes)with herpes zoster ophthalmicus were treated by He-Ne laser irradiation combined with TDP(Group A). Another 22 patients(22 eyes)with herpes zoster ophthalmicus(Group B)were treated by medication. The duration of the disease, the incidence of complications, and the time of pain relief were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The cure rate of Group A was 91%, that of Group B was 73%, there was no significant difference between the two groups(χ²=1.375, P>0.05). The average cure time of Group A was 8±2.22d, Group B was 12±1.88d, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(t=5.22, P<0.05). The complication rate of Group A was 18%, Group B was 59%, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(χ²=6.86, P<0.05). The average pain relief time of Group A was 5±1.23d, Group B was 10±1.34d, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(t=11.17, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: He-Ne laser combined with TDP irradiation can shorten the treatment time of herpes zoster ophthalmicus, shorten the course of disease, reduce the incidence of complications, relieve pain, with no significant effect on the cure rate of herpes zoster ophthalmicus.