The Tej Kohli Cornea Institute (TKCI) has partnered with the India-based LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) to develop new treatments for Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

SJS is when the body displays an unusual reaction to commonly prescribed medications triggering symptoms like eruptions and blisters all over the body and mucous membrane of the mouth, eye and gut.

TKCI director Dr Pravin Krishna said: “SJS requires a gamut of specialised treatment options depending on the severity of the disease.

"During a keratoprosthesis implantation, the cornea is fully removed and is replaced by an artificial cornea."

“At TKCI, we have pioneered many of these treatment techniques, and we now hope to deliver our successful treatments to more patients suffering from Stevens-Johnson syndrome.”

The treatment of SJS involves complex and specialised surgeries namely amniotic membrane grafting, stem cell transplant and keratoprosthesis surgery, which will be conducted by the surgeons at TKCI.

LVPEI’s in-house developed product, LVP Keratoprosthesis is currently being used to treat patients suffering from SJS.

During a keratoprosthesis implantation, the cornea is fully removed and is replaced by an artificial cornea.

It is a modification of the widely practiced Boston Keratoprosthesis Type 1 which consists of a clear polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cylinder, a PMMA back-plate, and a titanium locking ring.

Tej Kohli Foundation founder and Kohli Ventures chairman Tej Kohli said: “We are greatly encouraged by the LVPEI’s breakthroughs in fighting the battle against blindness caused by Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

“It is another great step in our aim to eradicate corneal blindness completely by 2030.”