[Ocular involvement in Stevens-Johnson syndrome: treatment with amniotic membrane transplantation in the acute phase]

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are both part of a spectrum of serious mucocutaneous disorders, most often caused by drugs, with a high morbidity and mortality. In the acute stage, serious skin and mucocutaneous lesions with painful blistering, erosions and systemic involvement present the main focus of attention. The severity of skin manifestations in the acute stage, however, does not necessarily correlate with that of the mucosal lesions. Most feared are long-term sequelae, especially chronic eye involvement, which can be highly disabling. Here, we illustrate the importance of daily evaluation, early recognition and treatment of eye involvement in the acute stage of SJS/TEN, even when skin manifestations and/or initial eye involvement are relatively mild. Timely performed amniotic membrane transplantation in the acute stage can limit irreversible damage, caused by chronic inflammation, and therefore prevent cicatrisation at a later stage.