Surgical management of encapsulated filtering blebs

Ophthalmology. 1985 Jul;92(7):955-8. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)33949-0.

Abstract

Encapsulated filtering blebs associated with elevated intraocular pressure or symptomatic dellen formation, unresponsive to conservative therapy, developed in 24 of 222 eyes following glaucoma filtering surgery over a five-year period, an incidence of 11%. Nine of 13 eyes were treated successfully with primary needling of the bleb. Ten of 11 eyes were successfully treated with primary bleb revision. Four eyes were successfully treated with a combination of needling and surgical revision and one eye required cyclocryotherapy. The overall success rate of needling or bleb revision was 96% after an average follow-up of 20 months. Thus, encapsulation of the filtering bleb, although requiring additional surgery in many cases, carries a favorable long-term prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Cicatrix / surgery
  • Conjunctiva / surgery
  • Cysts / surgery*
  • Female
  • Glaucoma / surgery*
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*
  • Suture Techniques
  • Trabecular Meshwork / surgery*