Skin-graft in a Case of Total Symblepharon.

MANAGEMENT of conjunctival ulceration in the acute stages following chemical injuries and certain infectious diseases is one of the most difficult problems confronting ophthalmic surgeons. This is challenging, more so when the internal structures of the eye-ball are not affected. The cornea may be fairly normal in many such cases. Severe damage to the conjunctiva, unless properly treated, will lead to scarring, adhesions, and blindness. However, once the conjunctiva is destroyed, partial restoration of vision can be obtained by lining the conjunctival sac with some of the available replacement tissue, i.e., oral mucosa, homografts of conjunctiva, prepuce, labia minora, split skin-grafts, autografts of conjunctiva, amniotic sac, etc. (Duke-Elder, 1954; Stallard, 1950; El-Rifaiy, 1962; Reeh and Mason, 1961; and El Gammal, 1961). This paper presents our experience in a case of total bilateral symblepharon, which developed following an infectious fever, probably smallpox.