Management of the late ocular sequelae of Stevens-Johnson syndrome

The acute conjunctivitis seen initially in Stevens-Johnson syndrome is followed by a cicatricial phase, which often leads to severe ocular surface disease and visual morbidity. Manifestations include keratinization of the conjunctiva, lid margins, and lacrimal and meibomian ducts, resulting in an unstable tear film and mechanical trauma to the conjunctiva and cornea with blinking. Limbal stem cell deficiency is the most vision-threatening sequela of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, as it causes corneal neovascularization, chronic corneal inflammation, and an irregular corneal epithelium. Management of late sequelae often requires a multipronged approach, including strategies for ocular surface protection, ocular surface support, and ocular surface reconstruction. In this review, established therapies, as well as new experimental therapies, are discussed.