Temporary Gortex (Polytetrafluoroethylene) Spacer for the Treatment of Fornix Shortening Following Severe Alkali Chemical Injury

BACKGROUND: Gortex is an inert, smooth, flexible material, which is well tolerated in situ. We describe a case of fornix shortening secondary to alkali injury, which was treated successfully with a temporary Gortex patch. METHOD: Retrospective case report. RESULTS: A patient with Grade IV chemical injury developed significant symblepharon formation 47 days after the initial injury. Following an initial failed mucous membrane graft the patient had a Gortex patch sutured into the upper lid fornix which acted as a spacer to allow epithelisation of the bulbar conjunctiva. The Gortex patch was removed after 25 days, and at 6 months' follow-up, there was no recurrence of symblepharon formation. CONCLUSION: Industry-related severe ocular chemical injury is a rare occurrence. It can lead to symblepharon formation and destruction of the conjunctival fornix. In this case a Gortex spacer was successfully used to prevent symblepharon formation and reform the upper eyelid fornix after severe chemical injury.