Vision-related function after scleral lens fitting in ocular complications of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Purpose: To describe the therapeutic benefits of scleral lenses in the management of severe ocular surface disease attributable to toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

Design: Retrospective study.

Methods: Clinical records of 39 patients (67 eyes) fitted with scleral lenses for refractory ocular surface disease attributable to SJS or TEN were reviewed. To assess vision-specific quality of life, each patient completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). Slit-lamp examination was performed at regular intervals to detect side effects. Main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (VA) and OSDI and NEI VFQ-25 composite score before and 6 months after scleral lens fitting.

Results: The mean age was 35.8 +/- 13.9 years. Scleral lens fitting failed in 3 patients. The mean follow-up was 33.3 +/- 17.6 months. Among fitted patients, VA in the better eye (36 patients, 36 eyes) progressed from 0.73 to 0.50 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (P = .0001) 6 months after scleral lens placement. The mean OSDI improved from 76.9 +/- 22.8 to 37.1 +/- 26.7 (P = .0001). Thirty-two NEI VFQ-25 composite scores were available. The mean NEI VFQ-25 composite score improved from 25.1 +/- 16.8 to 67.4 +/- 22.1 (P = .0001). No serious adverse events attributable to the scleral lenses occurred.

Conclusions: Scleral lens use appears to be efficient and safe for visual rehabilitation of refractory ocular surface disease attributable to TEN and SJS.