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Stevens-Johnson disease and eye lesions: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Acute conjunctival-mucocutaneous syndrome (Stevens-Johnson disease) - multiform exudative erythema, expressed in the appearance of a bullous rash on the skin and mucous membranes, has a different course. In mild cases, the lesions are insignificant and affect only the skin, in severe cases - the mucous membranes are affected, including the conjunctiva.
Of the drugs, sulfonamides are primarily called the cause of the disease, as well as reopyrin, aspirin, tetracycline, penicillin, bromine preparations, salicylates, barbiturates, phenylbutazole, corticosteroids, vaccines against poliomyelitis, smallpox, influenza, tetanus. In the clinical hag - acute multiform exudative erythema, lesions of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, genitals and eyes are not combined. Young people are more often ill. The disease begins suddenly with high fever, chills and headache. A characteristic rash in the form of spots, papules, blisters appears on the skin of the face, arms and legs, on the back of the hands and feet. Exudative elements on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, nose, genitals are prone to ulceration. Unlike Lyell's syndrome, mortality is significantly lower - about 10%.
[ Eye damage
In severe forms of the disease involving the mucous membranes, eye damage is common - from 50%. Skin rashes on the eyelids can occur simultaneously with a general polymorphic skin rash, and along the edges of the eyelids can be accompanied by hemorrhages. Conjunctivitis can be mild, catarrhal and disappear without consequences, but severe purulent, membranous conjunctivitis with ulcers develops more often. Secondary bacterial conjunctiva and keratitis are common. Cicatricial changes can lead to deformation of the eyelids and trichiasis. Severe ulcerative processes in the conjunctiva and cornea subsequently lead to pronounced scarring, the formation of leukomas and persistent loss of vision.
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Treatment of eye damage in Stevens-Johnson disease
In the acute period of the disease, desensitizing therapy, corticosteroid and symptomatic treatment are prescribed. In case of eye lesions, corticosteroids are used (dexamethasone in the form of drops and ointments), antibacterial agents for the prevention and treatment of secondary bacterial infection (sulfapyridazine in the form of drops).