30-Year-Old American Woman Loses Eyesight and Suffers 87% Skin Loss After Severe Medication Reaction

Emily McAllister, a 30-year-old single mother from Chicago, Illinois, faced a devastating medical crisis after taking a new anti-seizure medication in September 2022. Within 16 days of starting the medication, she developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare and potentially fatal skin condition that caused 87% of her skin to deteriorate and ultimately led to complete blindness. Emily initially worked as a substance abuse counselor and noticed unusual symptoms including red, swollen eyes, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing. She was hospitalized and treated in the burn unit, undergoing multiple surgeries including eyelid reconstruction, stem cell transplants, and six eye surgeries over three years. Currently, Emily is classified as blind. Her left eye has completely lost vision, while her right eye has extremely limited vision with special contact lenses. Medical experts believe her vision cannot be naturally restored. Despite her profound challenges, Emily remains optimistic, stating, "I'm blind in both eyes. My life has completely changed, and I'm now considered disabled. But I feel lucky to be alive, because SJS can be fatal. I'm grateful to still be here and watch my daughter grow."