In vivo confocal microscopic evaluation of corneal changes in chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

PURPOSE: To describe corneal changes visible on in vivo confocal microscopy, in patients with debilitating ocular sequelae because of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one eyes of 25 consecutive patients suffering from chronic TEN or SJS were studied using in vivo confocal microscopy.

RESULTS: Severe dry eye syndrome with no associated limbal stem cell deficiency (25 eyes, 16 patients, 61%) was the most frequent clinical pattern. Limbal stem cell deficiency was noted in 16 eyes (12 patients, 39%). Three patients had asymmetric disease. Confocal microscopy showed a consistent change in the superficial epithelial cells in both clinical presentations. Patients with dry eye syndrome had frequent pathological nerve damages, and the presence of dendritic cells was prevalent (65%). Inflammatory cells were observed in a large number in 4 of the 12 patients presenting neovascularization of the cornea.

CONCLUSIONS: The corneas of patients with chronic ocular sequelae linked to SJS and TEN present a number of abnormalities. In vivo confocal microscopy is a potentially useful tool for therapeutic indications and for follow-up of the debilitating chronic ocular problems associated with these diseases.