What should you know about Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in the eye?

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome can affect the delicate lining of the eyes as well as the skin. Symptoms may include gritty or burning eyes, marked redness, watering, sticky discharge, swollen eyelids, light sensitivity, or changes in vision. A person may also have painful mouth sores or a spreading skin eruption.

Eye symptoms can worsen even when the skin seems to be settling. Irritation, rubbing, or using unprescribed eye drops can add harm. A clinician needs to examine the eye surface and eyelids to decide what treatment and follow-up are needed.

Go for urgent medical assessment and tell the team about every recent medicine, including non-prescription products. Avoid contact lenses, eye makeup, and rubbing the eyes. Do not use leftover antibiotic, steroid, or numbing drops unless an eye clinician has prescribed them for this episode.

If vision is blurred, ask someone else to take you rather than driving. Keep the eyes protected from bright light with sunglasses if comfortable, but do not let this delay examination.

Seek emergency care immediately for eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred or reduced vision, inability to open the eyes, severe redness, or eye symptoms alongside skin blistering, peeling, fever, or mouth sores. Prompt eye review can help limit surface injury.

Does the eye surface or eyelid need specialist treatment? Which drops are safe, and how often should they be used? Should I avoid contact lenses for now? What vision change or pain should trigger a return visit?