Prevention and treatment of symblepharon.

Symblepharon after acute conjunctival injury can be prevented by separating the raw surfaces for one to two weeks, until re-epithelialization takes place. We have used a soft contact lens and a conjunctival ring without a corneal center, or lined the eyelid and palpebral conjunctiva with plastic. This often eliminates the need for mucous membrane grafts. Symblepharon can interfere with intraocular surgery and disrupt cataract incisions unless they are divided and separated at the time of surgery.