Management of Painful Blind Eye with Bilateral Symblepharon: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Symblepharon is a challenging condition characterized by a painful blind eye. The main goal of treatment is to alleviate discomfort and improve the patient's physical and mental well-being. Case Presentation: An Indonesian male, 38 years old, complained of vision loss and ocular pain in his right eye 1 month ago. The pain frequently manifests as a rapid, piercing, or scorching feeling that extends from the right eye to encompass the entire head. Both of his eyes exhibited symblepharon and xerophthalmia. At the age of 11, he experienced a previous occurrence of raised and blister-like skin lesions. Following his recovery, a gradual formation of membranes occurred, covering both of his eyes. His right eye had light perception for visual acuity, and the intraocular pressure was determined to be soft upon examination. The B-scan ultrasound revealed the presence of a long-term inflammatory or scarring process and a decrease in the length of the axis. The patient underwent surgery without experiencing any improvement. A psychological evaluation identified a headache caused by an eye condition, and we administered antipyretic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, and multivitamin treatments. The patient saw a reduction in pain intensity from a level of 9 to 5 after undergoing treatment for a duration of 1 week. Patients who have previously undergone surgical treatment for symblepharon should have a comprehensive evaluation when they encounter symptoms of vision loss and ocular discomfort. Conclusion: The psychological factor is essential for the treatment's success. Treatment of the underlying cause is essential, and the patient must understand the irreversible loss of visual function. A management plan primarily aims to mitigate the adverse impact on the overall well-being and standard of living.