To investigate the relation between visual function, clinical findings, and visual symptoms in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and to compare the results with Sjögren syndrome (SS) patients and normal subjects.

Cross-sectional comparative study.

One hundred fifteen eyes of 59 consecutive patients with SJS and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), 208 eyes of 104 healthy normal subjects, and 132 eyes of 66 SS patients were investigated in this multicenter study. All study subjects underwent tear function and ocular surface examinations, Landolt and functional visual acuity examinations, and the Japanese version of the NEI VFQ-25 (National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire).

The mean ocular surface grading scores were significantly higher and the mean score of all 12 NEI VFQ subscales was significantly lower in the SJS patients compared to the SS patients and the normal subjects (P < .05). The conventional and functional logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuities in SJS patients with minimal corneal complications were significantly higher and the mean total composite NEI VFQ scores were lower compared to SS patients. The conventional and functional logMAR visual acuities and the mean ocular surface grading scores in SJS with aqueous deficiency were significantly higher and the mean total composite NEI VFQ scores were lower compared to SS patients. Strong correlations between best-corrected logMAR functional visual acuities and either ocular surface grading scores or the composite NEI VFQ-25 scores were observed.

The functional visual acuity examination reflects the severity of clinical ocular surface findings and vision-related quality of life more than the standard conventional visual acuity in SJS.