Stevens-Johnson syndrome SJS is a rare but serious reaction that affects the skin, mouth, and eyes. It is often triggered by medicines or infections and can cause long-term eye problems.
Eye involvement and symptoms
The eye surface can become severely inflamed and damaged during the acute phase. Later scarring may lead to chronic discomfort and visual loss.
- Red, painful eyes with blistering or membrane formation
- Light sensitivity, discharge, and difficulty opening the lids
- Scarring of conjunctiva, dry eye, and eyelid malposition in the chronic stage
- Corneal damage that may threaten sight
Management and follow-up
SJS needs urgent hospital care from dermatology, intensive care, and eye specialists. Long-term ophthalmic follow-up is often required.
- Frequent lubricants, topical steroids, and sometimes amniotic membrane in the acute stage
- Treatment of lid abnormalities, scarring, and severe dry eye later on
- Use of scleral lenses or surface reconstruction in advanced cases
- Careful medication review to avoid the suspected trigger in future
