Symblepharon: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:46, 15 February 2025

A condition involving adhesion of the eyelid to the eyeball

Symblepharon is a medical condition characterized by the adhesion of the palpebral conjunctiva of the eyelid to the bulbar conjunctiva of the eyeball. This condition can lead to restricted eye movement and discomfort, and it may result from various causes, including trauma, inflammation, or surgical complications.

Causes

Symblepharon can arise from several etiological factors:

Trauma: Physical injury to the eye or eyelid can lead to scar formation and subsequent adhesion.
Inflammation: Chronic inflammatory conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or ocular cicatricial pemphigoid can cause symblepharon.
Surgery: Post-surgical complications, particularly after procedures involving the conjunctiva, may result in adhesions.
Chemical burns: Exposure to caustic substances can damage the conjunctiva, leading to symblepharon.

Symptoms

Patients with symblepharon may experience a range of symptoms, including:

Restricted eye movement
Discomfort or pain in the affected eye
Redness and irritation
Visual disturbances if the adhesion affects the cornea

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of symblepharon is primarily clinical, based on the observation of adhesions between the eyelid and the eyeball. An ophthalmologist may use a slit lamp examination to assess the extent and severity of the condition.

Treatment

Treatment options for symblepharon depend on the severity and underlying cause:

Surgical intervention: In severe cases, surgical separation of the adhesions may be necessary. This can involve techniques such as amniotic membrane transplantation or mucous membrane grafting.
Lubrication: Artificial tears or lubricating ointments can help alleviate symptoms and prevent further adhesions.
Management of underlying conditions: Treating the primary cause, such as controlling inflammation in autoimmune diseases, is crucial.

Prognosis

The prognosis for symblepharon varies depending on the cause and the effectiveness of treatment. Early intervention and management of underlying conditions can improve outcomes and prevent recurrence.

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

Prompt treatment of eye injuries and infections
Avoidance of exposure to chemical irritants
Careful surgical techniques to minimize trauma to the conjunctiva

Related pages

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-'''Symblepharon''' is a medical condition that involves the adhesion of the [[palpebral conjunctiva]] (the conjunctiva of the eyelid) to the [[bulbar conjunctiva]] (the conjunctiva covering the eyeball). This condition can be caused by various factors, including [[trauma]], [[inflammation]], [[surgery]], or [[chemical burns]]. It can lead to various complications, such as [[dry eye]], [[corneal ulcer]], and [[vision loss]].
+{{Short description|A condition involving adhesion of the eyelid to the eyeball}}
-== Causes ==
+[[File:Symblepharon.jpg|thumb|right|Symblepharon affecting the lower eyelid]]
-Symblepharon is often caused by an injury to the eye, such as a chemical or thermal burn. It can also occur as a result of a severe [[eye infection]], [[autoimmune disease]], or after eye surgery. In rare cases, it can be congenital.
-== Symptoms ==
+'''Symblepharon''' is a medical condition characterized by the adhesion of the palpebral conjunctiva of the eyelid to the bulbar conjunctiva of the eyeball. This condition can lead to restricted eye movement and discomfort, and it may result from various causes, including trauma, inflammation, or surgical complications.
-The symptoms of symblepharon can vary depending on the severity of the condition. They can include:
-* [[Eye pain]]
+==Causes==
-* [[Blurred vision]]
+Symblepharon can arise from several etiological factors:
-* [[Tearing]]
-* [[Photophobia]] (sensitivity to light)
-* [[Foreign body sensation]]
-== Diagnosis ==
+* '''Trauma''': Physical injury to the eye or eyelid can lead to scar formation and subsequent adhesion.
-Symblepharon is diagnosed through a thorough eye examination. The doctor may use a [[slit lamp]] to examine the front part of the eye and check for any adhesions. In some cases, a [[conjunctival biopsy]] may be performed to determine the cause of the condition.
+* '''Inflammation''': Chronic inflammatory conditions such as [[Stevens-Johnson syndrome]] or [[ocular cicatricial pemphigoid]] can cause symblepharon.
+* '''Surgery''': Post-surgical complications, particularly after procedures involving the conjunctiva, may result in adhesions.
+* '''Chemical burns''': Exposure to caustic substances can damage the conjunctiva, leading to symblepharon.
-== Treatment ==
+==Symptoms==
-The treatment for symblepharon depends on the cause and severity of the condition. In mild cases, artificial tears or ointments may be used to relieve symptoms. In more severe cases, surgery may be required to separate the adhesions. This is usually performed under local or general anesthesia.
+Patients with symblepharon may experience a range of symptoms, including:
-== See also ==
+* Restricted eye movement
-* [[Conjunctivitis]]
+* Discomfort or pain in the affected eye
-* [[Dry eye syndrome]]
+* Redness and irritation
-* [[Corneal ulcer]]
+* Visual disturbances if the adhesion affects the cornea
-== References ==
+==Diagnosis==
-<references />
+The diagnosis of symblepharon is primarily clinical, based on the observation of adhesions between the eyelid and the eyeball. An ophthalmologist may use a slit lamp examination to assess the extent and severity of the condition.
+==Treatment==
+Treatment options for symblepharon depend on the severity and underlying cause:
+* '''Surgical intervention''': In severe cases, surgical separation of the adhesions may be necessary. This can involve techniques such as amniotic membrane transplantation or mucous membrane grafting.
+* '''Lubrication''': Artificial tears or lubricating ointments can help alleviate symptoms and prevent further adhesions.
+* '''Management of underlying conditions''': Treating the primary cause, such as controlling inflammation in autoimmune diseases, is crucial.
+==Prognosis==
+The prognosis for symblepharon varies depending on the cause and the effectiveness of treatment. Early intervention and management of underlying conditions can improve outcomes and prevent recurrence.
+==Prevention==
+Preventive measures include:
+* Prompt treatment of eye injuries and infections
+* Avoidance of exposure to chemical irritants
+* Careful surgical techniques to minimize trauma to the conjunctiva
+==Related pages==
+* [[Conjunctiva]]
+* [[Stevens-Johnson syndrome]]
+* [[Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid]]
+* [[Amniotic membrane transplantation]]
 [[Category:Eye diseases]]
-[[Category:Ophthalmology]]
-[[Category:Medical conditions]]
-{{stub}}
-{{dictionary-stub1}}