Department of Ophthalmology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland.
Although they were once believed to be distinct diseases, many observers currently consider erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis to represent a mild-to-severe continuum of the same process. Each shares certain clinical, histologic, and etiologic characteristics; among the latter two are frequent ocular involvement. Because long-term ophthalmic sequelae may be catastrophic, early recognition and therapy of this acute oculocutaneous disease spectrum are critically important.