• Yi-Sheng Chang, Fu-Chin Huang, Sung-Huei Tseng, Chao-Kai Hsu, Chung-Liang Ho, and Hamm-Ming Sheu.
• Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
• Cornea. 2007 Feb 1; 26 (2): 123-9.

PurposeTo study the acute ocular/cutaneous manifestations, causes, and management of the erythema multiforme (EM)/Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) disease spectrum.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all EM/SJS/TEN patients hospitalized at National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Taiwan between 1988 and 2004. Demographic data, medical/medication histories, ocular/mucocutaneous manifestations, management, sequelae, and recurrence were analyzed.ResultsA total of 207 patients 2 months to 95 years of age were hospitalized with 213 episodes/attacks of EM/SJS/TEN. Medications were the most common cause of any condition: for SJS, carbamazepine was most common; for EM or TEN, allopurinol was most common. In 128 of the 213 attacks (60.1%; 126 patients), ocular manifestations were documented during hospitalization, occurring more often in those with SJS (81.3%) or TEN (66.7%) compared with those with EM (22.7%; P < 0.01). The most frequent ocular treatments were topical steroids, topical antibiotics, and lubricants. Overall, 24 (18.8%) of 128 acute attacks in 126 patients were followed by ocular sequelae, mostly dry eye. Five (2.4%) of the 207 patients sustained a total of 6 recurrent attacks, in 3 cases because of the same medication.ConclusionsOcular manifestations occur in a high proportion of patients with EM/SJS/TEN. The most frequent causes were carbamazepine and allopurinol. A careful medication history should be obtained from these patients. Ophthalmic consultation, evaluation, and management are mandatory.

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