Maxivision Successfully Restores Ocular Health and Prevents Disabling Blindness in Rare Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Complication

Specialists at Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, Somajiguda, led by Dr. Pavani Murthy, have successfully treated a severe, vision-threatening ocular complication arising from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). The patient, a 58-year-old woman, had survived an acute SJS episode two years prior but developed chronic secondary complications, including extreme ocular dryness, intense photophobia, persistent redness, and progressive loss of corneal transparency. Pathological changes caused the inner surface of her eyelids to transform into a rough, keratinized, skin-like layer—a condition known as lid margin keratinization (LMK). This led to chronic lid wiper keratopathy, where every blink scraped against the delicate ocular surface, causing ongoing micro-trauma, chronic inflammation, and a high risk of permanent blindness.

Innovative Surgical Solution: Mucous Membrane Grafting
When heavy regimens of steroid eye drops and artificial lubricants failed to halt the mechanical friction, Dr. Pavani Murthy performed a specialized Mucous Membrane Grafting (MMG) procedure. During this delicate surgery, the abrasive, keratinized tissue along the patient’s eyelid margins was meticulously excised and replaced with healthy, non-keratinized mucosal tissue harvested directly from the inside of the patient’s lower lip. This biocompatible graft restored a smooth, natural eyelid surface, entirely eliminating the mechanical abrasion causing chronic corneal damage.

Post-Operative Recovery and Vision Restoration:
The surgical intervention yielded immediate and striking results. From the first post-operative day, the patient experienced a dramatic reduction in pain and irritation. Because the root cause of the friction was eliminated, all post-operative steroids were completely discontinued, leaving her reliant on only minimal artificial tears. With her ocular surface now fully stabilized, the patient is cleared to safely undergo upcoming cataract surgery to restore clear vision. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare, severe disorder of the skin and mucous membranes usually triggered by medications or infections, making long-term specialized follow-up critical to prevent permanent vision loss.