Purpose: To study the outcomes of large diameter soft bandage contact lens (BCL) in managing early trabeculectomy bleb leak.
Materials and methods: Of 972 eyes that underwent fornix-based trabeculectomy between 2011 and 2015, 19 eyes with bleb leak with at least 1 year follow-up were eligible. Bleb leak was conservatively managed using large diameter BCL (≥15.5 mm in diameter). Success was defined as complete, if bleb leak resolved and the intraocular pressure (IOP) was ≥5 and ≤18 mm Hg with no additional antiglaucoma medication and failure if surgical intervention was needed.
Results: Mean age (±SD) of subjects was 43.5±11.9 years. Mitomycin C was used in 15/19 eyes. Median time (interquartile range) from trabeculectomy to bleb leak was 9 days (interquartile range: 8 to 19 d). Bleb leak was treated with 15.5 mm BCL in 16 eyes and 17 mm lens in 3 eyes. Bleb leak resolved with BCL in 17 [89.5%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 68.6-97] and 2 eyes (10.5%; 95% CI, 2-31) required bleb resuturing. Mean duration of BCL wear for bleb leak resolution was 23.7±8.9 days. Mean IOP increased from 5.8±2.7 to 12.5±3.1 mm Hg after resolution of bleb leak (P<0.05). At 16 months, complete success probability of trabeculectomy was 89.4% (95% CI, 75.6%-100%).
Conclusions: Large diameter BCL was effective in the management of early bleb leak with good intermediate term success for IOP control. We suggest a trial of soft contact lens of appropriate diameter to manage early bleb leaks, before planning any invasive intervention.