Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research (Jan 2012)

Surgical Repair of Leaking Filtering Blebs Using Two Different Techniques

  • António B Melo,
  • M Reza Razeghinejad,
  • Neal Palejwala,
  • Jonathan S Myers,
  • Marlene R Moster,
  • George L Spaeth,
  • L Jay Katz

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 4
pp. 281 – 288

Abstract

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Purpose: To report the outcomes of two different surgical techniques for the repair of late onset bleb leakage following trabeculectomy. Methods: This retrospective study includes 21 eyes of 20 patients with prior trabeculectomy and late-onset bleb leaks; 14 eyes underwent excision of the filtering bleb together with conjunctival advancement while in the other 7 eyes the bleb was retained but de-epithelialized before conjunctival advancement. Success was defined as resolution of leakage with no need for additional glaucoma surgery together with intraocular pressure (IOP) of 5-21 mmHg. Complete and qualified success was considered when the above mentioned was achieved without or with glaucoma medications, respectively. Results: Mean duration of follow-up was 20.3΁14.4 months. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of complete, qualified and overall success rates (P>0.05), however more antiglaucoma medications were necessary in the bleb excision group (P=0.02). Conclusions: Both surgical techniques of bleb repair were comparably effective, however the bleb de-epithelialization technique was associated with less need for glaucoma medications after the procedure.

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