Posters

Outcome of post-operative bleb needling and anti-metabolite injections in late failed trabeculectomy blebs

Poster Details

First Author: R. M Bafiq UNITED KINGDOM

Co Author(s):    H. J. Suleman   A. Negi                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess the safety and efficacy of bleb needling and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) injections in long term failed trabeculectomy blebs.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham,United Kingdom.

Methods:

Case notes retrospective review over a period of five years from 2010. All patients who had bleb needling and 5FU injections for delayed failed filtering blebs at a minimum of six months after mitomycin c augmented trabeculectomy surgery were recruited. Out of the twenty one eyes included in the study, four eyes had the procedure carried out twice and one eye required three injections.

Results:

The mean interval between the trabeculectomy surgery and first needling was 21.76 ± 15.2 months (range7 –57). Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased from 21.6 ± 5.1mmHg to 18.3 ± 8.1mmHg at 6 months following first needling. The mean follow up time was 21 ± 17.8 months. At the last follow up, eight eyes (38 %) had achieved “success” (IOP <18mmHG without medication) and five eyes (23%) had reached “qualified success” (IOP <18mmHg with pressure lowering medication). One eye had bleb leakage which settled with conservative management and five eyes developed encapsulated cysts that required repeating of the procedure.

Conclusions:

Our study highlights that bleb needling and 5FU injection achieved success or qualified success in 61% of eyes in our cohort. This procedure should be considered in patients with failed filtration surgery prior to contemplating further filtration or tube surgery. Further prospective study with longer term follow up is warranted.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE