One of the benefits of getting the shingles vaccine is to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Shingles can cause lasting pain, vision damage, scarring, and more. These complications can last weeks, months, or years. In some cases (such as vision loss), shingles complications may be permanent.
In this video, learn how common shingles complications are and what the risk factors are, according to Peter DeMarco, MD, Family Medicine Physician at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Peter DeMarco, MD, is a primary care provider at Columbia Primary Care and is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
References
Boyd, K. (2022). What is shingles (herpes zoster). American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). About shingles (herpes zoster).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Shingles symptoms and complications.
Moniuszko, A., et al. (2015). Blindness resulting from orbital complications of ophthalmic zoster. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology.
Nair, P. A., et al. (2023). Herpes zoster. StatPearls.
Why trust our experts?
