Mayo Clinic Minute: What are eye shingles?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you've had chickenpox, the virus can lie dormant in your body's nerve tissue for years when suddenly it's triggered by stress or a weakened immune system, and manifests as shingles. A new shingles vaccine called Shingrix is recommended for anyone over 50. It helps prevent the disease and reduces the severity of symptoms.