Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Every year approximately 33,000 people worldwide are stricken with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), sometimes referred to as Steven Johnson Syndrome, including 1,500 people in the United States.

SJS and the most severe variant of the disease, toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome (TENS), are most often caused by intense immune reactions to medication or infection. SJS and TENS cause severe blistering of the skin and mucous membranes, including the eyes. For as many as 5% of those with SJS and 40% with TENS, the syndrome is fatal.

SJS can permanently damage the inside of the eyelids, causing the lid edges to become rough and develop abnormal lashes that rub against the cornea. SJS also damages tear, mucous, and oil glands which are critical to maintaining a healthy ocular surface. SJS can lead to extreme pain and light sensitivity, and scarring resulting in blindness.

Learn more at the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Foundation.

Currently, there is no cure for damage to the eyes caused by SJS. However, PROSE treatment can provide relief and improved vision.

PROSE treatment uses specially designed prosthetic scleral lenses that vault over the corneal surface, creating a reservoir between the cornea and the lens. The reservoir is filled with preservative-free saline to bathe and hydrate the eye all day, providing immediate relief and comfort and promoting healing. PROSE prosthetic lenses can also provide improved vision. Think of the lens as a “new” cornea, which creates the shape of a typical, healthy cornea. This allows light to enter the eye at the correct angle for improved vision.