Ocular Manifestations of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: A Two-Year Clinical Study

Heru Ardila Putra, Havriza Vitresia

Abstract

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare but severe inflammatory disorder that affects the skin and mucous membranes, including the eyes, and may result in vision loss. This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics, ocular manifestations, and management of patients with SJS at Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital, Padang. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of 17 patients with ocular involvement caused by SJS, TEN, and SJS/TEN overlap who referred to the ophthalmology department from January 2021 to August 2023. A total of 65% presented in the acute/subacute phase and 35% in the chronic phase. Visual acuity in acute/subacute cases ranged from 6/6 to better than 6/60, with no symblepharon. Chronic-phase patients had poorer outcomes, including five eyes with vision worse than 1/60 and ocular complications such as symblepharon, corneal ulceration, opacity, neovascularization, and conjunctivalization. All patients received medical therapy, and three required surgical interventions, including symblepharon release and amniotic membrane transplantation. In conclusion, early ophthalmologic assessment and timely intervention are crucial to prevent severe ocular complications. Patients referred in the chronic phase experienced significantly worse visual outcomes.

Keywords

Ocular Stevens Johnson syndrome; toxic epidermal necrolysis; symblepharon; ocular manifestation

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.26891/JIK.v19i2.2025.134-140

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