Cornea and External Diseases

Symblepharon

Symblepharon in a recurrent pterygium case.

Clinical Features

  • Symptoms:
    • Ocular motility disorders
    • Diplopia
    • Entropion
    • Inadequate lids closure
  • Signs: adhesion between bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva
  • May occur as a complication of various ocular diseases such as: dry eye syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, cicatricial pemphigoid, chemical injury, erythema multiforme, pemphigus bullosa or as a complication of chemical burn.
  • Any conjunctival infections complicated with conjunctival scaring may cause symblepharon; chlamydial conjunctivitis, vernal, atopic, bacterial conjunctivitis and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.
  • Management: may require oculoplastics procedure to release the symblepharon