Slit-lamp needle revision of failed filtering blebs using high-dose mitomycin C

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of bleb needle revision with high-dose mitomycin C in reviving failed filtering blebs after 1 year. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 44 patients with one eye that had undergone bleb needle revision with a mixture of 0.1 mL of mitomycin (0.4 mg/mL) mixed with 0.1 mL of non-preserved 1% lidocaine. At least 12 months of follow-up were required. A successful bleb needle revision was defined as one that did not require a subsequent needling, glaucoma surgery, or medication to reach an intraocular pressure (IOP) greater than 4 mm Hg but less than 22 mm Hg. A qualified success was defined as a successful bleb needle revision that required subsequent needling or medication. RESULTS: The bleb needle revision with high-dose mitomycin was a success or qualified success after 12 months in 28 patients or 64% (95% confidence interval, 50% to 78%). The baseline IOP in these patients was 26.7 +/- 8.2 mm Hg (range 15 to 48 mm Hg) using an average of 1.5 +/- 1.5 glaucoma medications. The IOP after 1 year was 13.6 +/- 4.0 (range 6 to 21 mm Hg) with an average of 0.5 +/- 0.8 medications. Of 44 patients, 17 (39%) were successes and 11 (25%) were qualified successes. CONCLUSION: Bleb needle revision with high-dose MMC was effective in reducing the IOP in 64% of eyes with a failed filtering bleb with minimal long-term complications.     

Excisional bleb revision to correct overfiltration or leakage

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of excisional revision of filtering blebs for hypotony or leakage when more conservative measures have failed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who underwent excisional revision of a filtering bleb for hypotony (intraocular pressure [IOP] < 5 mm Hg) or leakage during a 3 year period. The revision consisted of excision of the avascular bleb, mobilization of the surrounding conjunctiva, and suturing of the conjunctiva at the limbus. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in the study. The average age was 66.3 +/- 14.8 years (range, 39-83). Revision followed trabeculectomy in 11 cases, combined phacoemulsification-trabeculectomy in three cases, and inadvertent blebs in two cases. Five cases had bleb leaks without hypotony, four cases had hypotony alone, and seven cases had both hypotony and a bleb leak. Average follow-up after bleb revision was 25 +/- 11 months (range, 9-43). Average IOP increased from 3.8 +/- 5.6 mm Hg (range, 0-22) to 11.9 +/- 4.1 mm Hg (range, 3-18), with an average of 1.1 +/- 1.1 medication (range, 0-3). The IOP at the last visit was < 15 mm Hg in all but two patients, with 10 of the 16 patients requiring medications. At the last follow-up examination, visual acuity had improved > or = two lines in nine patients and was reduced two lines in one patient. Five patients had early postoperative limbal wound leaks; resuturing was required in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Excisional bleb revision is an effective technique to correct hypotony or leakage after filtering surgery when other methods have failed. Intraocular pressure control is often maintained with the use of medications.     

Reopening filtration fistulas with transconjunctival argon laser photocoagulation

Three patients (a 15-year-old girl, a 45-year-old woman, and a 61-year-old woman) with previously successful full-thickness filtering procedures developed pigmented tissue in the fistula sites and uncontrolled intraocular pressures despite maximum tolerable medical therapy. The filtering procedures in the first and second patients spontaneously failed two and four years after surgery. The filtration bleb of the third patient, after successfully controlling intraocular pressure for six years, failed two months after cataract extraction. Argon laser therapy was applied through the conjunctiva to treat visible subconjunctival pigmented tissue within the sites of the previous surgical filtration blebs. In all three cases, there was an immediate and significant decrease in intraocular pressure associated with reestablishment of the filtration bleb (from 44 to 16 mm Hg in Case 1, from 40 to 15 mm Hg in Case 2, and from 25 to 12 mm Hg in Case 3). Long-term follow-up showed well controlled intraocular pressures without glaucoma medications (Case 1, 5 mm Hg after 18 months; Case 2, 17 mm Hg after one year; and Case 3, 9 mm Hg after five months).     

Bleb revision for hypotony maculopathy after trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of a bleb revision technique with regard to improvement in intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity after hypotony maculopathy and to evaluate the influence of duration of hypotony on visual outcome. PATIENTS AND METHOD:: Retrospective review of a series of patients who underwent bleb revision for hypotony maculopathy (IOP less than 6 mm Hg and loss of two or more lines of central vision) following trabeculectomy. Bleb revision included excision of avascular bleb tissue, dissection posteriorly between conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule, and advancement and suturing of the conjunctiva at the limbus. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were included in the study. The average age was 49.8 years (range 18-85) and eight were female. Before trabeculectomy, the mean IOP was 23.2 +/- 11.8 mm Hg, and the visual acuity was 20/30-2 or better in 13 patients and 20/80 in one patient. The mean IOP before bleb revision was 1.07 +/- 0.73 mm Hg, and 12 patients had lost an average of 4.33 +/- 2.96 lines of visual acuity from baseline, while one had count fingers and another had hand motion vision. The final mean IOP after bleb revision was 11.07 +/- 3.08 mm Hg. Compared with visual acuity just prior to bleb revision, 12 patients regained an average best corrected vision of 3.08 +/- 2.67 lines, with seven returning to the pre-trabeculectomy vision level. The duration of hypotony prior to bleb revision was 1 to 24 months (average 8.36 months) with no correlation (correlation coefficient -0.13) between duration and visual outcome. CONCLUSION: Bleb revision for hypotony maculopathy following trabeculectomy is an effective technique for raising IOP and limiting visual loss, which is not influenced by duration of hypotony within the time frame of the study.     

Late needle revision of failed filtering bleb with adjunctive Mitomycin C

A 61-year-old man presented to our hospital with right eye pain and headache off and on for 1 month. He had twice trabeculectomy in the right eye 25 years ago without using antiglaucoma agents. Snellen visual acuity (VA) was 20/400 and intraocular pressure (IOP) was 52 mm Hg in his right eye. The slit-lamp examination of his right eye revealed corneal microcystic edema and two blebs were noted. The nasal upper bleb had thinner wall with obvious focal underlying uvea dark color and temporal upper bleb had relative thicker wall. Both blebs showed low lying and high vascularity. No pupillary block was present. Considering the risks of repeat trabeculectomy and drainage implant, needle revision was done on the temporal upper bleb.A mixture of lidocaine and mitomycin C (MMC) was prepared for a final MMC concentration of 0.07 mg/ml. After 15 minutes of subconjunctival injection of lidocaine-MMC mixture, the needle revision was done to disrupt any episcleral and scleral fibrosis. Restoration of aqueous drainage was considered to be the end point when the bleb height was restored. The right eye VA was 20/100 on postoperatively Day 1 and IOP was 8 mm Hg. The only minor complication was subconjunctival hemorrhage. The IOP was around 10-15 mm Hg without antiglaucoma agent during a 6-month follow-up. The temporal upper bleb remained moderate height without hypervascularity or cystic change and no corneal edema was noted.Bleb needling with adjunctive MMC is simple and safe. It should be considered in the management of failing or failed filtration blebs.     

Filtering bleb function after clear cornea phacoemulsification: a prospective study

AIM: To evaluate the influence of clear cornea phacoemulsification on filtering bleb morphology, function, and intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucomatous eyes with previously successful filtering surgery. METHODS: The clinical course of 30 patients (30 eyes) who underwent clear cornea phacoemulsification after successful filtering glaucoma surgery was prospectively evaluated. Mean IOP and filtering bleb morphology (standardised assessment criteria and score 0-12, 12 = optimum) were determined before surgery, and 3 days, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. The control group consisted of 36 patients with glaucoma after clear cornea phacoemulsification without previous filtering surgery. RESULTS: Mean IOP increased after phacoemulsification by about 2 mm Hg (preoperatively 14.28 (SD 3.71) mm Hg, 12 months postoperatively 16.33 (3.31) mm Hg, p = 0.006). 15 patients (50%) showed an IOP increase of >2 mm Hg, 11 patients (36.7%) had no IOP difference (within 2 mm Hg), and in four patients (13.3%) IOP decreased >2 mm Hg. Mean score of filtering bleb morphology 1 year after surgery decreased from 9.5 to 9.0 (p = 0.154). In three of 30 preoperatively IOP regulated eyes the postoperative IOP was 21 mm Hg. The control group showed an average IOP decrease of 2.01 mm Hg (p = 0.014) 12 months after cataract surgery. CONCLUSION: An increase in IOP was found 1 year after phacoemulsification in half of the filtered glaucomatous eyes. IOP in glaucomatous eyes without previous filtering surgery decreased in the same period. Cataract extraction using clear cornea phacoemulsification may be associated with a partial loss of the previously functioning filter and with an impairment of filtering bleb morphology.     

超声乳化白内障吸除术对功能性滤过泡形态和功能的影响

目的 评价超声乳化白内障吸除术对小梁切除术后有功能性滤过泡的患者的眼压及滤过泡形态的影响,并分析可能造成手术后眼压升高的危险因素.方法 前瞻性系列病例研究.选择2005年11月到2006年10月于我院就诊,需要行超声乳化白内障吸除术的具有功能性滤过泡的全部患者,完成2年随访的共20人(共25只眼).记录超声乳化白内障吸除术前及术后1、3、6、12、24个月的眼压和抗青光眼药物的使用情况;手术前、术后1个月及术后2年进行超声活体显微镜(UBM)检查.Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率,并结合UBM形态学测最结果分析造成超声乳化白内障吸除术后眼压升高的危险因素.对于患者手术前后的眼压及UBM的相关测量值进行配对t检验.声乳化白内障吸除术前后患者的眼压及抗青光眼的药物种类进行配对t检验.结果 超声乳化白内障吸除术前及术后各随访时间点的眼压分别为(15.8±5.1)、(13.7±3.6)、(13.6±3.3)、(14.4±4.1)、(14.2±3.6)、(13.8±3.5)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)(t=2.933,3.186,2.275,2.262,3.173;P=0.007,0.004,0.021,0.033,0.004).超声乳化白内障吸除术前后使用的抗青光眼药物数量分别为每眼(0.2±0.6)和(0.3±0.7)种,差异无统计学意义(t=-1.440,P=0.265).Log-rank分析超声乳化白内障吸除术后眼压升高的危险因素有手术前眼压高于15 mm Hg(P=0.042),手术后短期内出现滤过泡的高度下降大于10%和滤过泡的内反射增强.结论 对曾经进行过小梁切除术并有功能性滤过泡的患者进行超声乳化白内障吸除术,长期随访发现眼压控制良好,超声乳化白内障吸除术对外滤过功能无影响.超声乳化白内障吸除术前眼压高于15 mm Hg,术后短期出现滤过泡的明显变小和内反射增强是眼压升高的危险因素.     

Enhancement of post trabeculectomy bleb formation by laser suture lysis.

AIMS: To study the efficacy of laser suture lysis in the promotion of filtration and bleb formation during the early postoperative period after trabeculectomy. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 20 eyes from 20 patients undergoing trabeculectomy. Patients were entered into the study if, after a trial period of ocular massage, the intraocular pressure (IOP) was greater than 21 mm Hg 48 hours after surgery. Other criteria for inclusion were a deep quiet anterior chamber, no bleb formation, and a patent internal ostium on gonioscopy. Suture lysis was performed using a frequency doubled neodymium YAG (532 nm) laser and a Hoskins lens. The IOP was measured within 5 minutes of lysis and gentle ocular massage was employed if there was no spontaneous bleb formation. A further suture was lysed if at this stage there was still no bleb associated with a high IOP. RESULTS: Suture lysis was successful in all cases in the early postoperative period. The mean IOP before lysis was 33.8 (SD 8.9) mm Hg and the IOP immediately after lysis was 13.2 (7.9) mm Hg. Eighteen (90%) patients had successfully controlled IOP (mean 14.1 (3.6) mm Hg) without medication after a mean follow up of 6 months. CONCLUSION: Laser suture lysis is a safe and effective method of promoting filtration following trabeculectomy. It can avoid surgical manipulation of the scleral flap with its associated risks of bleb failure and thereby contributes to a successful operative outcome.     

原发性慢性闭角型青光眼术后早期滤过泡形态与远期眼压的相关性研究

目的 探讨原发性慢性闭角型青光眼小梁切除术后结膜滤过泡形态与眼压的相关性.方法 多中心临床病例系列研究.对176例(176只眼)40岁以上的原发性慢性闭角型青光眼患者,实施单纯小梁切除术88例(88只眼)或小梁切除联合可拆除缝线术88例(88只眼).术后3个月,按照Indiana bleb appearance grading scale滤过泡分级系统,对患者术后滤过泡形态进行分级,应用Goldmann压平眼压计测量眼压.术后滤过泡形态与眼压的相关性采用线性回归分析法.结果 150例(85.7％)患者完成18个月的随访观察.术后18个月平均眼压(15.6±5.4)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),其中10只眼的眼压≥21 mm Hg,5只眼在用药后眼压＜21 mm Hg,其余135只眼的眼压＜21 mm Hg.142只眼记录了术后3个月滤过泡形态:扁平无隆起(H0级)3只眼,低度隆起(H1级)45只眼,中度隆起(H2级)90只眼,高度隆起(H3级)4只眼;滤过泡未血管化66只眼,滤过泡血管化76只跟.单因素线性回归分析,显示有微囊结构滤过泡者的眼压较无微囊结构滤过泡者的眼压低2.77 mm Hg(β=-2.77,95％CI:-0.46～-5.08);滤过泡未血管化者的眼压较滤过泡血管化者的眼压低2.077 mm Hg(β=-2.07,95％ CI:-0.15～- 3.98);患者年龄每增加10岁,术后眼压降低1.2 mm Hg(β=-1.20,95％ CI:-0.00～-2.40);患者年龄、滤过泡微血管化及微囊结构滤过泡的存在与术后18个月的眼压有相关性(P＜0.05).结论 患者术后早期滤过泡形态对预测远期眼压水平具有一定意义,患者术后滤过泡形态、滤过泡血管化程度及年龄是影响远期眼压的主要因素.     

Needle revision with and without 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of failed filtering blebs

Twelve patients with failed or failing filtering blebs were treated by transconjunctival needle revision of the bleb. Seven of these received 5-fluorouracil as an adjunct. Intraocular pressure decreased from 31.3 +/- 8.8 mm Hg (range, 20 to 47 mm Hg) to 17.0 +/- 3.7 mm Hg (range, 8 to 22 mm Hg). The length of follow-up ranged from two to 31 months. The results in 11 of 12 patients (91.6%) were satisfactory, defined by an intraocular pressure of 22 mm Hg or less, with or without antiglaucoma medications, and requiring no subsequent procedures for control of intraocular pressure. The success rates and overall pressure lowering effect of the seven patients receiving and the five patients not receiving 5-fluorouracil were similar. However, most patients receiving 5-fluorouracil were thought to be at higher risk for surgical failure. Complications of needle revision were minor and resolved without sequelae. We advocate the consideration of transconjunctival needle revision with or without the use of 5-fluorouracil as a useful therapeutic modality in the management of the failed or failing filtering bleb.     

Needle revision of failed filtering blebs using 5-Fluorouracil and a combined ab-externo and ab-interno approach

PURPOSE: To evaluate a surgical technique to revise a failed filtering bleb using subconjunctival 5-Fluorouracil with a combined ab-externo and ab-interno approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of the outcome of 77 consecutive bleb revisions, with greater than 6-month follow-up, performed by a single glaucoma surgeon (MW). All eyes had previously functioning filtering blebs with currently inadequately controlled intraocular pressures (IOP) prior to the bleb revisions. All surgery was performed in the operating room, using a retrobulbar injection and a microscope. Visco-elastic was injected into the anterior chamber. 5-Fluorouracil (0.1 mL; 50 mg/ml) was infiltrated around the bleb. A 30-gauge needle was used to lyse subconjunctival fibrosis and episcleral scar tissue binding down the scleral flap, and elevate the scleral flap. Through an inferior paracentesis, a cyclodialysis spatula was used to confirm and enlarge the communication with the subconjunctival space. The main outcome measurements were IOP and number of glaucoma medications. A successful outcome was defined as a 20% reduction from baseline IOP and a maximum IOP of 18 mm Hg, with or without medications, and a minimal follow-up of 6 months. RESULTS: 52% of patients achieved success after one revision with an average follow-up of 29.6 +/- 14.4 months. In successful cases, the mean IOP decreased from 22.7 +/- 4.5 mm Hg to 11.3 +/- 3.5 mm Hg and medications were reduced from an average of 2.2 +/- 1.1 to 0.4 +/- 0.7. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis calculated a success of 77% at 1 year, 68% at 2 years, and 58% at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: In failed filtering blebs, needle revision with 5-Fluorouracil and a combined ab-externo and ab-interno approach results in high success and low complication rates. The outcome of this procedure compares favorably with previously reported revision techniques.     

Milling trabeculoplasty for nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery

PURPOSE: To describe the use of a motorized milling drill to perform nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery and to assess its safety. SETTING: Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, Miguel Hernandez University, School of Medicine, Alicante, Spain. METHODS: This prospective noncomparative study included 16 eyes (13 patients) diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma. The eyes were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (8 eyes) had a milling procedure, and Group 2 (8 eyes) had combined phacoemulsification and milling. A fornix-based conjunctival flap was created, and then the milling procedure was performed using a notched hemispherical metallic tip. Evolution of intraocular pressure (IOP), visual outcomes, and the development of intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 67.9 years +/- 10.9 (SD) (range 50 to 80 years). In Group 1, the mean IOP preoperatively was 27.6 +/- 10.1 mm Hg (range 18 to 50 mm Hg) and after 6 months, 15.8 +/- 5.2 mm Hg (range 12 to 24 mm Hg). The mean IOP reduction 6 months postoperatively was 15.4 +/- 10.6 mm Hg, a 55.7% decrease from preoperatively. In Group 2, the mean IOP preoperatively was 21.7 +/- 4.6 mm Hg (range 13 to 30 mm Hg), and after 6 months, 16.2 +/- 3.4 mm Hg (range 13 to 23 mm Hg). The mean reduction in IOP at 6 months was 5.5 +/- 2.8 mm Hg, a decrease of 25.3% from the preoperative value. In Group 1 at 6 months, 5 eyes (62.5%) had a diffuse filtering bleb and 3 (37.5%), localized filtration. In Group 2, 7 eyes (87.5%) had a diffuse filtering bleb and 1 (12.5%) had fibrosis of the bleb and reduction of filtration. CONCLUSION: The motorized milling drill can be safely used to mill and refine the remaining scleral thickness, eliminating the rupture of trabeculo-Descemet's membrane.     

Outcomes of bleb excision and conjunctival advancement for leaking or hypotonous eyes after glaucoma filtering surgery

AIM: To determine outcomes of bleb excision and conjunctival advancement for leaking or hypotonous eyes after glaucoma filtering surgery. METHODS: In a retrospective case series the medical records of all patients who underwent bleb excision and conjunctival advancement surgery for bleb leaks or hypotony (defined as IOP less than 6 mm Hg, associated with reduced vision) at the Jules Stein Eye Institute and the Yale University Eye Center between January 1993 and June 2002 were reviewed. Only patients with more than 6 months of follow up were included. Complete success was defined as resolution of the pre-existing leak or hypotony, with maintenance of IOP > or =6 and < or =21 mm Hg, in the absence of further glaucoma surgery and without any glaucoma medication. Qualified success met the above criteria with or without the use of glaucoma medications. Success rates were analysed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: 49 eyes were included in the study; 13 eyes had overt bleb leaks, 27 eyes had hypotony. Nineteen patients underwent resuturing of sclera and/or placement of a pericardial graft in addition to bleb excision and conjunctival advancement. Mean preoperative IOP increased from 3.2 (SD 2.4) mm Hg (range 0-10 mm Hg) to 13.8 (4.8) mm Hg (range 6-29 mm Hg) at last follow up (p<0.0001). Mean preoperative visual acuity improved from 0.6 (0.3) logMAR (range 0-2) to 0.3 (0.3) logMAR (range 0-2) at final follow up (p<0.0001). 16 eyes (40%) were classified as complete success and 17 additional eyes achieved qualified success, for a total of 33 eyes (83%) achieving at least qualified success. There was no significant difference in the rate of complete success (p = 0.95) or qualified success (p = 0.88) between the group of patients who underwent bleb excision and conjunctival advancement alone versus those who also had resuturing of sclera and/or placement of a pericardial graft. Failures included three eyes that had persistent hypotony without leak, requiring additional bleb revision, and four with uncontrolled IOP, two of whom underwent additional glaucoma surgery. CONCLUSION: Bleb excision with conjunctival advancement is a successful procedure for bleb repair. This technique provides successful resolution of leaks and hypotony, maintains glaucoma control with or without medication, and preserves vision with minimal postoperative complications in a majority of eyes.     

Surgical results of bleb revision with scleral patch graft for late-onset bleb complications.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of bleb revision with scleral patch graft for late-onset bleb-related complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series between October 1996 and March 2003. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had surgery for bleb leak, hypotonous maculopathy, dysesthesia, or bleb-associated infections after initial trabeculectomy or thermal sclerostomy. The preoperative intraocular pressure was 3.3 +/- 2.6 mm Hg, and the final intraocular pressure was 11.6 +/- 3.4 mm Hg after 10.1 +/- 6.8 months. Seven eyes required no further bleb revision or glaucoma medications. Visual acuity improved in 10 of 14 eyes. A second scleral patch graft revision was necessary in 3 eyes, but bleb leaks and hypotony resolved in all 14 eyes at last follow-up. Complications included bleb failure, bullous keratopathy progression, cataract progression, and ptosis. CONCLUSION: Bleb revision with scleral patch graft is effective for treating late-onset bleb complications, resulting in improvement in visual acuity and resolution of hypotonous maculopathy, bleb leaks, and dysesthesia.     

Reopening filtration fistulas with the neodymium-YAG laser

We used the mode-locked neodymium-YAG laser to reopen filtration fistulas in nine eyes in which the fistula had become occluded internally by a variably pigmented membrane, vitreous, or, in one case, capsular lens material. In five eyes filtration was successfully reestablished, reducing the intraocular pressure to less than 21 mm Hg (range, 10 to 20 mm Hg). The remaining four eyes had fistulas thought to be open internally after laser treatment; however, filtration was not established because of external subconjunctival scarring of the bleb. As with needling or argon laser fistular reopening, successful filtration followed Nd-YAG laser fistular surgery only when the fistula was occluded by an identifiable membrane and when the eye already had had a well-established bleb.     

Revision of dysfunctional filtering blebs by conjunctival advancement with bleb preservation

PURPOSE: To assess the outcome of advancing a conjunctival flap with preservation of the bleb in eyes undergoing filtration bleb revision after trabeculectomy. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases from a university-based referral practice identified 30 eyes of 30 patients that had undergone bleb revision after trabeculectomy by advancement of a conjunctival flap over the de-epithelialized bleb. Success was defined as resolution of the bleb-associated complication necessitating the revision (leak, hypotony, discomfort) with maintenance of intraocular pressure greater than or equal to 6 and less than or equal to 21 mm Hg without glaucoma medications. Qualified success met the above criteria but with the use of glaucoma medications. Summary data including visual acuity were obtained. RESULTS: On the 30 eyes, 30 conjunctival advancement procedures were performed. Seventeen were for bleb leaks, 10 for prolonged hypotony without bleb leak, and three for dysesthetic bleb. Eighteen eyes (60%) were classified as a complete success and 24 eyes (80%) achieved at least a qualified success. Cumulative probability of at least qualified success was 77% at 2 years. Failures included inadequate intraocular pressure control (one eye), recurrent bleb leak (three eyes), and hypotony without bleb leak (two eyes). The mean preoperative intraocular pressure for all eyes increased from 4.4 +/- 3.7 mm Hg to 12.3 +/- 6.2 mm Hg (P <.00001) at the final visit with a mean follow-up of 18.9 +/- 15.5 months. Visual acuity improved or remained within 1 line of preoperative acuity in all but five patients. Complications included two patients with mild ptosis and four patients with hypertropia. CONCLUSION: Advancement of a conjunctival flap with preservation the preexisting bleb often provides successful resolution of bleb-associated complications.     

Long-term follow up of surgical repair of late bleb leaks after glaucoma filtering surgery

PURPOSE: To study the long-term outcomes of surgical revision of leaking blebs after trabeculectomy and identify possible risk factors for failure. PATIENT AND METHODS: A retrospective, nonrandomized, noncomparative interventional study of 34 eyes with late bleb leaks after trabeculectomy that underwent bleb excision with conjunctival advancement. The primary outcome measure was successful repair and control of intraocular pressure (IOP). The other measures evaluated included change in visual acuity from baseline and complications such as recurrence of bleb leak, endophthalmitis or the need for additional antiglaucoma medication to control IOP. RESULTS: After a mean follow up of 36.2+/-23 months, the mean IOP at the last visit was 14.5+/-7.6 mm Hg. IOP in 58.8% of eyes was controlled without medication. Complications included early leaks (7/34), late recurrent or persistent leaks (1/34), and endophthalmitis (1/34). In all, 41.2% patients required additional medication at the last visit. Survival analysis at 22 months the probability of total and qualified success was 52% and 72%, respectively. However, this dropped to 10% and 15%, respectively, at 5 years. The probability of total and qualified success further dropped to 2.5% and 5% at 5 years when the IOP cut-off was lowered from 21 to 15 mm Hg. Cox regression analysis failed to identify risk factors for bleb failure. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical bleb revision seems to be effective in treating late bleb leaks with few postoperative complications. However, patients should be followed carefully as late failure of bleb function beyond 2 years is a significant possibility.     

Autologous blood injection for late-onset filtering bleb leak.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of autologous blood injections for late-onset filtering bleb leak. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all eyes that had autologous blood injection(s) for filtering bleb leak occurring at least 2 months after trabeculectomy at the Indiana University Medical Center. Successful treatment was defined as resolution of the bleb leak and no need for additional glaucoma medications. Failure was defined as a persistent bleb leak, intraocular pressure greater than 21 mm Hg, or the occurrence of a vision-threatening event related to the procedure. RESULTS: Thirty-two eyes of 31 patients had autologous blood injection for filtering bleb leak and were followed for a mean of 4.9 months (SD, 9.2; range, 1 to 37 months). Twenty-three eyes (72%) were outright failures because of persistence of the leak. Nine eyes (28%) had an initially successful outcome, but the success rate decreased over time as bleb leaks recurred in three of the nine eyes at 5, 6, and 37 months. No patient characteristics correlated with outcome. Mean intraocular pressure increased from pretreatment to final examination (4.5 to 6.5 mm Hg, P =.003). Mean logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) vision remained unchanged from pretreatment to final examination (P =.55). Blood seepage into the anterior chamber after autologous blood injection was common but transient. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous blood injection is of limited success in treating late-onset filtering bleb leak.     

The Reopening of Closed Filtering Blebs Using The Neodymium:YAG Laser

Four eyes underwent cicatricial closure of the filtering bleb within the 6 weeks postoperatively. They failed to respond to digital massage and conventional therapy, resulting in loss of bleb and elevated intraocular pressure. The average pre-YAG laser treatment intraocular pressure was 34.5 mmHg. Three hundred to five hundred applications from the mode-locked Neodymium:YAG laser (Meditec) delivered at 3.5 mJ were directed through a goniocontact prism to the surgical area. Prompt vaporization of scar tissue and sclera resulted in a dramatic reversal of the pathology. Forty-eight hours after treatment and with a cessation of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, an average 20 mm Hg drop in intraocular pressure was achieved. The bleb reformed in each case and maintained its patency for a minimum follow-up of 6 months.     

Long term results and complications of trabeculectomy augmented with low dose mitomycin C in patients at risk for filtration failure

AIM: To determine the results and complications up to 5 years after trabeculectomy with 0.02% mitomycin C (MMC) in glaucoma patients at risk for failure of filtration surgery. METHODS: A consecutive series of 21 eyes from 20 patients who underwent trabeculectomy with MMC 0.02%, with an exposure time of 2 minutes, was retrospectively analysed and the results were compared with previously published data. RESULTS: The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 28 mm Hg on an average of 2.8 glaucoma medications, and the mean postoperative IOP after 3 years was 14 mm Hg on an average of 0.4 medications. Three years after trabeculectomy, 17 of 21 (80.9%) eyes had an IOP of less than 21 mm Hg without medical treatment. Using Kaplan-Meier life table analysis the 5 year probability of an IOP less than 21 mm Hg without medication was 67% and with medication was 90%. Two patients required further glaucoma surgery during the first postoperative year, and another developed hypotonous maculopathy which was reversed after bleb revision. Seven patients developed visually significant cataract as a late consequence of the surgery. There were no bleb related infections. CONCLUSION: In the long term MMC 0.02% used for 2 minutes intraoperatively is an effective adjunctive treatment in glaucoma patients at risk for bleb failure and in this dose is associated with few complications.