Posters

Needle revision outcomes after glaucoma filtering surgery: a retrospective case series

Poster Details

First Author: A. Marchese ITALY

Co Author(s):    A. Rabiolo   P. Bettin   M. Fiori   C. Ciampi   F. Di Matteo   F. Bandello     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate success rate and safety of needling bleb revision in impeding bleb failure

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, University Vita-Salute, Milan, Italy

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of 78 eyes of 64 patients who underwent bleb needle revision augmented with either 5-fluorouracil or bethametasone. Success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 18 mmHg (high-teen criterion) or ≤ 15 mmHg (low-teen criterion). Success was defined as qualified or complete if reached with or without medications, respectively. Failure was defined as an IOP exceeding criteria in two consecutive visits; loss of light perception; any further glaucoma procedure other than repeated needle revision, laser suture lysis and laser goniopuncture.

Results:

Mean follow up was 18.5±16.6 months. Mean pre and post-needling IOPs were 20.0±6.1 mmHg and 8.3±6.1 mmHg (p < 0.0001), respectively. Mean IOP was 12.0±7.0 at 1 month, 12.7±3.6 mmHg at 6 months, 13.6±4.2 mmHg at 12 months, 13.8±3.8 mmHg at 24 months. For high-teen criterion, qualified and complete success rates were 87% and 81% at 6 months, 82% and 73% at 12 months, 75% and 59% at 18 months, 63% and 52% at 24 months, respectively. For low-teen criterion, qualified and complete success rates were 86% and 79% at 6 months, 74% and 67% at 12 months, 65% and 52% at 18 months, 55% and 44% at 24 months, respectively.

Conclusions:

In our experience, bleb needle revision augmented with either 5-fluorouracil or bethametasone is an effective and safe procedure to rescue failing glaucoma filtering surgery, postponing or avoiding further glaucoma surgery.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE