Intraoperative optical coherence tomography–guided transconjunctival bleb suturing – A minimally invasive technique for managing overfiltering bleb

Abstract

With the recent advancement in technologies, real-time integrated intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) microscopes are available, which facilitates surgical precision and also reduces the risk of complications. Two glaucoma patients with advanced glaucomatous optic neuropathy, who underwent uneventful trabeculectomy with 0.02% mitomycin C, developed persistent hypotony postoperatively till 4–6 weeks. On clinical examination, visual acuity was 1/60 with low intraocular pressure (IOP) of 4 mmHg. Elevated, overfiltering bleb was seen on slit-lamp examination, along with hypotonous maculopathy. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) showed multiple large hyporeflective fluid spaces suggestive of overfiltering bleb. Considering the risk of choroidal detachment and further deterioration of vision, iOCT-guided transconjunctival bleb suturing was planned. iOCT helped to identify the exact location of scleral flap, and transconjunctival suturing was done with successful outcomes in terms of improved IOP and visual acuity.

Keywords

• intraoperative optical coherence tomography
• overfiltering bleb
• transconjunctival bleb suturing