Study focuses on eye complications from SJS/TEN
February 18th, 2009 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
A group of researchers has found that patients with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) who have ocular complications are more likely to have late complications with their eyes and thus should undergo ophthalmologic screening, according to the February 2009 edition of the Archives of Dermatology. The cohort study focused on the acute and late ocular manifestations of SJS and its more severe form, TEN, and how to identify predictors for the development of ocular complications.
SJS and TEN are severe adverse reactions to medication that first express as rashes on the skin. The rashes blister over causing the skin to peel away. Mucus membranes in the eyes, mouth and nose also can be affected and cause serious complications such as dehydration, infection and even death. Serious ocular complications may include permanent vision loss from corneal scaring or vascularization.
The study involved 159 patients over an 8-year period who had been diagnosed with SJS and TEN. Seventy-four percent of the group had acute ocular involvement. Patients with TEN had more frequent but not more severe acute ocular involvement. Sixty-three percent had late ocular complications, with dry eye being the most common complication.
The researchers determined that the severity of the acute ocular disease was found to be the only significant predictor of late complications. The authors suggest that all patients with SJS or TEN undergo initial ophthalmologic screening and follow-up during the acute phase of the disease and that prospective follow-up for up to a year may be necessary.