Management of Symblepharon Prior to Keratoprosthesis in Chronic Ocular Burns: A Sequential Approach

This report describes two cases with stepwise management of chronic ocular burn sequelae with concurrent total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) and advanced symblepharon. Both were mono-ocular patients with the other eye being phthisical. In both cases, a sequential approach was planned, and at the first stage, the symblepharon was released to stabilize the ocular surface and form the fornices. This was followed by a type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro) after four months of symblepharon release in the first case, and after nine months in the second case. In the first case, after symblepharon release, the resultant bare sclera was addressed with an oral mucous membrane graft (MMG). Over two years of follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence of the symblepharon. No further surgical interventions were required. In the second case, after symblepharon release, the resultant bare sclera was addressed with a cryopreserved amniotic membrane (AM). Over eight years of follow-up, six episodes of recurrence of the symblepharon were noted over the optic of the KPro, necessitating trimming of the conjunctiva from over the optic. Thus, with these two cases, we would like to emphasize that addressing adnexal pathologies such as a symblepharon with an oral MMG before implanting a KPro, may help prevent further recurrences of symblephara and the need for multiple surgical interventions. The oral mucosa is a better alternative to the conjunctiva as compared to the AM in a mono-ocular patient where conjunctiva cannot be harvested from the contralateral eye.