Ocular manifestations and complications of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: an Asian series

Abstract

Background: To describe the acute and late ocular manifestations and complications in toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and identify predictors for development of late complications.

Methods: Cases of TEN and SJS during a 9-year period were included. Patients with ocular involvement were reviewed for acute ocular complications. Patients with a minimum 6 months follow-up were reviewed for late complications. Records were reviewed for their demographics, etiology, and severity of ocular involvement.

Results: There were 117 patients with a mean age of 52.2 +/- 18.6 years. Eighty-one of these (69%) had acute ocular involvement. This was mild in 40%, moderate in 25% and severe in 4%. Adverse drug reactions were the predominant cause. Patients with thrombocytopenia had more severe acute ocular involvement. Forty-four patients had a minimum 6 months of follow-up and half developed late complications. Severe dry eyes and trichiatic lashes were the commonest late complications. Patients treated with topical antibiotic were more likely to have late complications, particularly dry eyes. There was no difference in the severity of acute eye involvement or late complications when SJS and TEN patients were compared. The severity of the acute ocular disease and abnormal laboratory tests were not found to be the significant risk factors of late complications.

Conclusions: Ocular involvement is common in SJS and TEN and can be severe and blinding. The severity of acute ocular complications does not predict late complications. The diagnosis of TEN does not imply a more severe ocular involvement or increased frequency of late ocular complications compared with SJS. Care should be taken even in mild cases. Appropriate intervention during acute ocular disease may prevent late complications.