Bleb Encapsulation Research Articles

Distinctive intrableb structures of functioning blebs following trabeculectomy according to amniotic membrane transplantation.

Intrableb structures are hallmark features of the filtering bleb. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of functioning blebs using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) according to amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). Forty eyes from 40 patients diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy, either with AMT (20 eyes) or without AMT (control group, 20 eyes), were included. Parameters including bleb height, bleb wall thickness, striping layer thickness, striping to bleb wall ratio, bleb wall reflectivity, fluid-filled space score/height/area, and presence of microcysts were assessed using AS-OCT. Surgical success was defined at the time of AS-OCT as an IOP ≤18 mmHg and IOP reduction ≥30% without medication. In these patients, if the bleb had a clinically diffuse and healthy without any signs of an encapsulated bleb, the bleb was then defined as functioning bleb. Except for bleb height (P = 0.352) and microcyst formation (P = 0.266), significant differences were observed between the two groups. The functioning blebs of the AMT group exhibited greater fluid-filled space score, area, and height than those of the control group, following adjustment for AS-OCT time (all P < 0.001). Conversely, the functioning bleb of the control group demonstrated thicker bleb wall and striping layer, higher striping to bleb wall ratio, and lower bleb wall reflectivity than those of the AMT group, following adjustment for AS-OCT time (all P ≤ 0.001). Distinct intrableb structures were identified in functioning blebs according to amniotic membrane transplantation. The reflectivity and thickness of the bleb wall structures were more pronounced in the functioning bleb after trabeculectomy alone. In contrast, the extent of the fluid-filled space emerged as a more distinctive feature of the intrableb structures in the functioning bleb after trabeculectomy with AMT.

Efficacy and Safety of the Subtenon Injection of 0.01% Mitomycin C-augmented Trabeculectomy.

Background Trabeculectomy, with the application of mitomycin C (MMC), has been the gold standard glaucoma-filtering surgery. The conventional method of applying MMC using soaked sponges does not ensure a controlled amount of delivery of MMC, and incidences of blebitis are reported to be associated with leftover sponges. This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of a low dose (0.1 mg/ml) of MMC administered through subtenon injection during trabeculectomy combined with cataract extraction, addressing existing research gaps. Methods It is a prospective interventional study on patients who underwenttrabeculectomywith a subtenon injection of 0.1 mg/ml of MMC combined with cataract extraction and were followed up over six months. Efficacy was determined in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction; bleb architecture was graded using the Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading System (IBAGS) and success rate, and safety was commented upon in terms of complications. Results Thirty patients were enrolled, with the majority having primary open-angle glaucoma (63.33%), while 36.67% had primary angle-closure glaucoma. Baseline IOP was 31.40(±10.38) mmHg. It significantly reduced to 14.60(±3.75) mmHg on the first postoperative day, decreasing to 9.55(±1.57) mmHg by the sixth postoperative month (p=0.001). The percentage reduction in IOP was substantial, 69.57%, by the sixth postoperative visit. Bleb morphology assessment using IBAGS revealed significant improvements in bleb height and extent and a reduction in vascularity over the six-month follow-up (p=0.001), and no eyes had bleb encapsulation. Out of the total patients, 93.33% achieved controlled IOP without anti-glaucoma medications, while 6.67% required one medication for IOP control. Complications were minimal, with transient corneal edema in six patients and manageable postoperative hypotony in one case. Conclusion A subtenon injection of MMC during trabeculectomy effectively reduces IOP and promotes favorable bleb architecture, offering an effective and safer alternative to the conventional approach.

Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography for Cases of High Intraocular Pressure Following XEN Implant for Glaucoma.

This study showed that the XEN patency should be verified by OCT imaging in cases of encapsulated blebs. Although fibrosis plays the principal role, humor aqueous flow reduction could affect the "spacer" effect that inhibits the fibroblast attachments. To evaluate the application of the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) imaging in studying the relationship between a low flow rate through the XEN63 and the development of a cystic bleb. Retrospective case series of 3 eyes presenting a cystic bleb after an XEN63 implantation for uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP). Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. The imaging findings, complications, and managements following the surgery were evaluated. Three patients, with an average age of 67.3 years, initially showed a patent stent lumen and a functional bleb after surgery. The IOP of all eyes increased on average at 28.3 days from the surgery, with a mean value of 39.66mmHg. The slit lamp examination showed a cystic bleb. The AS-OCT imaging confirmed the previous finding and revealed either a partial or total occlusion of the stent internal ostium. A Nd:YAG laser, in proximity to the ostium, was performed to resolve the obstruction. Although the AS-OCT imaging showed the device patency and the IOP immediately decreased, the latter became elevated again. Consequently, in all the cases, a further needling procedure was needed to achieve an adequate IOP reduction. Six months after the two-step procedure, the IOP averaged 13.33mmHg, the XEN63 lumens appeared cleared, and the blebs showed a functional morphology. No adverse events were observed. The development of a cystic bleb may result from an altered balance between the flow rate through the XEN63 and the fibrosis development in the postoperative healing process. A proper follow-up based on slit lamp biomicroscopy, IOP measurement, and AS-OCT imaging is advisable to estimate and manage a cystic bleb following XEN63 implantation.

Clinical outcomes of collagen matrix as adjuvant to open bleb revision with mitomycin C following failed trabeculectomy

ABSTRACT Introduction Trabeculectomy (TB) with mitomycin C (MMC) is a mainstay of glaucoma surgery for intraocular pressure reduction and visual field preservation, but surgical outcomes are often limited by episcleral and subconjunctival fibrosis leading to intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes. Research Design and Methods Retrospective case series presents seven eyes at a tertiary glaucoma center where open bleb needling was performed in combination with a collagen matrix implant and MMC following failed TB due to excessive fibrosis. Results Seven eyes of seven patients were included. Baseline IOP was 23.9 (±7.4) mmHg with a significant decrease on post-operative (post-op) day 1 to 4.6 mmHg. By post-op month 1, all eyes maintained a non-hypotonus IOP ≥ 5. Notably, four eyes (57%) had at least 1 unsuccessful open bleb needling without a collagen matrix implant prior. All eyes were complication-free by the latest visit without any complication-related visual decline, and six eyes (86%) were glaucoma medication-free at the most-recent post-op follow-up (12.4 ± 11.4 months). All cases were performed by one experienced glaucoma subspecialist (author DL). Conclusions Open bleb needling and MMC in combination with a collagen matrix implant may result in improved and sustained IOP control for encapsulated blebs following failed trabeculectomy, especially in those with prior unsuccessful bleb revisions.

Goniotomy combined with giant fibrotic encapsulated bleb resection and drainage plate removal for refractory glaucoma: A case report

We report a case of goniotomy (GT) with giant fibrotic bleb resection and drainage plate removal following multiple failed antiglaucoma filtering surgeries. A 36-year-old man underwent trabeculectomy and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation, revealing a giant fibrotic capsule with medically uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) in the left eye. Removal of the drainage tube, resection of the fibrotic bleb, and a combination with GT were performed successfully, and the IOP was well controlled with a 6-month follow-up after surgery. GT may be successful for refractory glaucoma after filtering for surgical failure caused by fibrosis.

Long-Term Outcomes of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Surgery in a Scottish Cohort of Patients With Refractory Glaucoma.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety profile of the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in cases of refractory glaucoma. Methods We conducted a retrospective audit of patients that underwent AGV implantation between 2006 and 2017 by two glaucoma surgeons in a tertiary glaucoma centre (Glasgow, UK). Primary outcome measures included the post-operative intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, best-corrected visual acuity, complications, re-operation rates, and failure (defined as IOP > 21 mmHg or not reduced by 20% from baseline, IOP ≤ 5 mmHg, reoperation for glaucoma, removal of implant, or loss of light perception) at pre-defined time points (years 1 to 8). Results A total of 111 eyes of 94 patients were identified with a mean follow-up of 48.5 months (SD: 31.5); 60.3% of eyes had undergone at least one previous glaucoma surgery. Mean presenting IOP was 31.7 mmHg (SD: 11.4), and it reduced to 13.9 mmHg (SD: 4.2) in year 5 and 16.3 mmHg in year 8 (p<0.05). The number of glaucoma medications reduced from 3.8 (SD: 1.4) to 2.4 (SD: 1.4) and 2.6 (SD: 1.4) in the above time points (p<0.05 except year 8). The five-year success rate was 65.2%, and the five-year reoperation rate was 37% excluding cataract surgery. The most common early complications were hyphaema (12.6%) and transient hypotony (8.1%), whereas the most common late complication was an encapsulated bleb (15.1%). Conclusions AGV implantation is an effective procedure for controlling IOP in the long term in cases of refractory glaucoma.

Encapsulated Bleb and Fibrous Ingrowth in the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve System and Bleb Revision with Mitomycin-C

Purpose: To report a case of fibrous tissue ingrowth after Ahmed valve implantation and bleb revision using mitomycin-C.Case summary: A 50-year-old man, who had received an Ahmed implantation 6 months prior, underwent bleb revision due to persistent high intraocular pressure, despite massage and multiple needling attempts. Bleb encapsulation over the entire valve plate was observed, and the bleb was gently dissected. Fibrous ingrowth over the entire valve system was confirmed. The broad stalk-like fibrous tissue was firmly adhered to the valve system. It was removed by pulling the connected bleb, taking care not to cut the stalk. Then, the long stalk-like fibrous ingrowth along the cleft between valve leaflets and main plate was removed, in the same manner. A sponge soaked with mitomycin-C (0.3 mg/mL) was instilled for 2 minutes, and the conjunctiva was sutured. Two weeks after the surgery, conjunctival suture was performed due to Ahmed valve exposure. Three weeks later, the Ahmed valve was removed due to re-exposure. Trabeculectomy surgery was performed due to uncontrolled intraocular pressure.Conclusions: There is a possibility of extensive fibrous tissue ingrowth after Ahmed valve implantation; thus, care should be taken when using mitomycin-C for bleb revision.

Outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in pediatric glaucoma

BACKGROUND: In many types of pediatric glaucoma, there is no clear algorithm for surgical management. In these situations, the procedure of choice can be the implantation of various types of drainage devices.&#x0D; AIM: To evaluate the outcomes of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implantation in refractory pediatric glaucoma.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The treatment results of 52 children (67 eyes) aged 1 month 17 years (6.6 0.6 years) with unsuccessfully operated primary congenital glaucoma, with glaucoma associated with congenital anomalies of the eyeball, with secondary glaucoma were analyzed. The surgery was considered to be effective when stable intraocular pressure (IOP) was achieved, there were no complications, and no need for repeated interventions.&#x0D; RESULTS: The effect of surgery was maintained for 6 months in 97% of patients, but after 1, 2 and 3 years it decreased to 91.8%, 82%, and 73.9%, respectively, and to 42.8% after 7 years. Postoperative complications included filtering bleb encapsulation (25.3%), iris retraction to the tube with pupil dislocation (4.5%); ciliochoroidal detachment (4.5%); cataract (3.0%), conjunctival erosion with tube eruption (4.5%), endophthalmitis (1.5%), retinal detachment (6.0%), tube retraction (1.5%), hyphema (3.0%). The risk factors for an unfavorable outcome of the procedure were: an increase in the anteroposterior axis of the eyeball length by 20% or more compared to the age norm, IOP at the time of the surgery higher than 32 mm Hg, as well as previous antiglaucoma filtering procedures.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: The implantation of the drainage device Ahmed Glaucoma Valve is indicated for refractory pediatric glaucoma in case of ineffectiveness of previous surgeries. However, it is necessary to take into account the decrease in the effectiveness of the device over time, which, combined with the possibility of complications, requires long-term follow-up of patients.

Management of hypotony induced by transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation in failed Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery

Valved Glaucoma Drainage Devices like Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) are prone to bleb encapsulation around the endplate with subsequent uncontrolled intraocular pressure. Aqueous suppression may or may not lead to resolution and the valve may eventually fail. We report the management in a series of 3 eyes of 3 patients who had failed AGV surgery and after receiving transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) treatment, presented with hypotony and decreased vision.

A Comparison of Trabeculectomy Surgery Outcomes With Mitomycin-C Applied by Intra-Tenon Injection Versus Sponge

To compare the outcomes of mitomycin-C (MMC) delivered by intra-Tenon injection vs sponge application during trabeculectomy surgery. We retrospectively reviewed 566 patients with primary and secondary glaucoma diagnoses who received trabeculectomy surgery with MMC in an academic medical center. Exclusion criteria were age less than 18 years, no light perception vision, combined surgery, previous glaucoma incisional surgery, intraoperative 5-fluorouracil, or follow-up <1month. Subjects were divided into 2 cohorts: MMC delivered by sponge application or by intra-Tenon injection. Main outcome measures were postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) level and secondary measures were survival rate for IOP control, glaucoma medication use, complication rate, and vision. After inclusion/exclusion criteria, 316 eyes were available for analysis; 131 eyes had MMC delivered via sponge and 185 eyes via injection. Mean postoperative IOP was not significantly different between treatment groups but change in IOP from baseline was lower in the sponge vs the injection group 24months after surgery (P= .038). The MMC sponge group had significantly more tense, vascularized, or encapsulated blebs as a late complication (P= .046). Time to failure for postoperative IOP control was not significantly different between MMC treatment groups, but older patient age and limbus-based conjunctival incision were associated with significantly longer time to fail. The application of MMC by injection was similar to application by sponge in lowering IOP in patients with glaucoma and the safety of both techniques appears to be comparable. Limbus-based conjunctival incision had longer time to failure for postoperative IOP control vs fornix-based incision. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.

A One-Year Follow-Up of Two Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Models (S2 and FP7) for Refractory Glaucoma: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

AimTo compare a range of clinical outcome variables (intraocular pressure, glaucoma medications, visual acuity, and complications) between two Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) models (S2 and FP7).MethodsThis was a prospective and randomized clinical trial. Fifty-six patients with refractory glaucoma were randomly assigned to be implanted with either a polypropylene (S2) or silicone (FP7) Ahmed glaucoma valve. The primary outcome measure was a surgical success, defined as an IOP ≤ 16 mm Hg (without medication), and guarded success, defined as a controlled IOP ≤ 16 mmHg (with medication). Failure was defined as when the IOP lay outside of the successful range on two consecutive visits (>16 mmHg, despite medication).ResultsMean follow-up period was 398.42 ± 12.34 days (range, 380–420 days) for the S2 group and 401.75 ± 9.78 days (range, 385–420 days) for the FP7 group; these values were not significantly different (P = 0.27). After 12 months of follow-up, the baseline IOP (45.42 mmHg) fell significantly to 16.14 mmHg in the S2 group (p < 0.000); there was also a significant reduction in IOP in the FP7 group (from 44.17 mmHg to 15.18 mmHg in FP7 group, p < 0.000). At the last follow-up examination, the mean IOP in the S2 group was 16.14 ± 3.18 mmHg, while that of the FP7 group was 15.18 ± 2.75 mmHg; there was no significant difference between the two groups with this respect (p = 0.23). The mean number of medications used by patients in the S2 and FP7 groups was 2.92 ± 1.27 and 2.75 ± 1.43, respectively; there was no significant difference between the two groups with this respect (p = 0.32). There was no significant difference between the FP7 and S2 groups with regard to their relative success rate (17.89% [5/28] versus 10.7% [3/28], respectively; p = 0.38).ConclusionOur data show that the S2 and FP7 models of AGV were both effective in lowering IOP and reducing the need for glaucoma medications. Although these two AGV models had similar dimensions, they were constructed from different materials. However, there were no significant clinical differences between the S2 and FP7 AGV groups after 12 months of follow-up. Furthermore, our data indicate that bleb encapsulation was the primary factor responsible for failure rate and the need for glaucoma medication in both the S2 and FP7 groups. Our analysis further indicates that the S2 and FP7 Ahmed valves are associated with a high risk of failure when considered as a first-line therapy for cases experiencing trabeculectomy.Clinical Trial RegistrationNCT04214847.

Journal Review

Journal Review

Novel method of conjunctival revision for encapsulated blebs after ahmed valve implantation

Background: Encapsulation after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) is difficult to manage and sometimes results in treatment failure. We proposed a novel conjunctival revision method to improve intraocular pressure (IOP) control due to encapsulation after AGV implantation. The efficacy and safety of this method in refractory glaucoma patients were evaluated. Methods: The present study was done in a clinical trial design. Patients of encapsulation after AGV implantation for at least 6 months were enrolled and divided into three groups (control group, single revision group, and repeated revision group). Characteristics such as visual acuity, glaucoma type, IOP change, underlying diabetes mellitus, and complications were assessed. Results: In total, 120 patients were enrolled in this study, and they were randomly divided into three groups on a 1:1:1 base. At the study end, there were 28 patients in the control group, 32 patients in single revision group and 37 patients in repeated revision group. The results showed that the conjunctival revision method significantly reduced the mean IOP of the encapsulated eyes on day 1 after the procedure (24.5 ± 6.3 to 11.8 ± 3.4 mmHg in single revision group and 25.1 ± 4.7 to 10.2 ± 2.3 mmHg in repeated revision group, respectively). The eye pressure was remained relatively low during follow-up visits for 4.17 ± 4.2 months in single revision group, whereas stable IOP could be maintained in repeated revision group for 10.43 ± 3.7 months in average. Changes in preoperative and postoperative visual acuities and the refraction errors were insignificant. Only mild complications occurred and most resolved without treatment. Conclusions: The conjunctival revision could relieve entrapped subconjunctival aqueous and therefore reduced IOP temporarily with single procedure, and IOP could be maintained with repeated procedures. This method is suggested to be a safe and simple alternative for refractory glaucoma patients developed encapsulation after AGV implantation.

The efficacy of bleb needling revision with 5-fluorouracil in encapsulated bleb after unsuccessful trabeculectomy

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of the bleb needling revision (BNR) procedure with the adjunctive use of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in encapsulated bleb after unsuccessful trabeculectomy. Methods: We reviewed 16 eyes of 15 subjects who underwent BNR procedure due to encapsulated bleb after unsuccessful trabeculectomy. Demographic data, type of glaucoma, intraocular pressure (IOP) values of pre-BNR, IOP values of post-BNR at first day, first week and first month, follow up time and complications were recorded from patients’ files, retrospectively. Results: The mean follow up time was 53.1 ± 26.4 weeks. The average time between previous unsuccessful trabeculectomy and BNR was 11.12 ± 8.79 weeks. The mean IOP of pre-BNR was 26.0 ± 4.4 mmHg and significantly decreased to 12.4 ± 5.0 mmHg post-BNR at the first day (p &amp;lt; 0.001). The mean IOP values of post-BNR at the first week was 13.3 ± 4.9 mmHg and at the first month was 14.8 ± 4.8 mmHg. According to the mean IOP of pre-BNR, the mean IOP values of post-BNR at the first week and at the first month were significantly lower (p &amp;lt; 0.001 and p &amp;lt; 0.001, respectively). Seven (44%) eyes were achieved success and eight (50%) eyes were achieved qualified success. One (6%) eye was classified as the failure. Conclusion: The bleb needling revision procedure with the adjunctive use of 5-FU in encapsulated bleb after unsuccessful trabeculectomy is a simple, useful and repeatable method to restore the dysfunctional bleb.

Tube Shunt Revision With Excision of Fibrotic Capsule Using Mitomycin C With and Without Ologen—a Collagen Matrix Implant: A 3-Year Follow-up Study

Tube revision with capsule excision in failed glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) has good medium-term success effectively reducing the intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden. Implantation of Ologen may limit the complications, particularly erosion. To evaluate the 36-month outcomes of tube shunt revision with capsule excision using Mitomycin C (MMC) versus MMC with Ologen-a collagen matrix implant. Twenty-three eyes with failed GDD underwent tube revision with fibrotic capsule excision. 12 of them received a MMC application whereas the other 11 also received an Ologen implant. Qualified success, changes in IOP, medication burden, and complication rates were evaluated and compared. Three years post-revision, qualified success for the whole cohort was 58% with no significant difference between the MMC group (52%) and MMC+Ologen group (67%; P=0.606). Mean survival time for each group was 27.4 and 29.8 months, respectively. With no intergroup differences through 3 years, capsule excision leads to a significant decrease in IOP from 28.6±6.5 to 15.1±4.3 mm Hg (47% reduction) and in antiglaucoma medications, from 3.6±1.2 to 2.5±1.3 mm Hg (30% reduction; P<0.001). Complication rates were significantly lower in the MMC+Ologen group (27%) compared with the MMC group (75%; P=0.022). Plate erosion happened in 25% of the eyes in the MMC group which required excision of the tube and plate, but no such complication was observed in the MMC+Ologen group. Revision of a failed tube shunt by excision of the encapsulated bleb offers good medium-term outcomes by reducing the IOP and glaucoma medications. Although the addition of Ologen did not affect the medium-term success, IOP, or medication burden, its implantation yielded significantly lower complication rates.

Needling with 5-fluorouracil for encapsulated blebs after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) needling of encapsulated blebs (EBs) after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in patients with medically uncontrolled secondary glaucoma.Methods: Thirty-eight eyes of 37 patients who underwent AGV implantation due to secondary glaucoma with EB were recruited in this retrospective non-randomized study. 5-FU needling (0.1 mL of 50 mg/mL) was performed for the restore of the aqueous outflow. Success after needling was defined as last intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mmHg or ≥6 mmHg (with or without the use of antiglaucoma medication) without loss of light perception.Results: The mean follow-up time was 14.5 ± 8.5 (5–36) months after needling. The mean interval between the AGV implantation and the needling was 10.2 ± 7.5 (2–32) weeks. Patients were examined after needling at the 2nd hour, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month, and at the final visit. The success rates were 84.2%, 94.7%, 94.7%, 86.8%, 83.3%, and 71.1%, respectively. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed 96.4%, 77.4%, and 60.3% cumulative predictive success rates for the 6th, 12th, and 24th months, respectively. The mean IOP before needling was 28 ± 8.4 mmHg. At the final visit, the mean IOP was 18.1 ± 7.5 mmHg (p ≤ 0.001). Complications after needling included Seidel without hypotony (three eyes, 7.9%), hyphema (one eye, 2.6%), and decompression retinopathy (one eye, 2.6%). Neovascular glaucoma was the only factor that affected efficacy of treatment negatively (p = 0.003).Conclusions: Bleb needling with 5-FU seems to be a safe and effective method in patients with EB formation after AGV implantation in secondary glaucoma cases.

Efficacy of a Novel Retrobulbar Extension Shunt to Rescue Eyes with Fibrotic Encapsulated Blebs and Uncontrolled Ocular Hypertension.

Retrobulbar glaucoma shunts are large-bore fenestrated silicone stents that redirect aqueous humor into the retrobulbar space. They were designed to rescue failed standard tube shunts with fibrotic encapsulation in patients with intractable ocular hypertension. This article evaluates longer-term outcomes of a larger population undergoing retrobulbar aqueous redirection. Outcomes of all retrobulbar shunts wereplaced among this progressive-entry surgical population over an 8-year interval. Implants were produced by New World Medical (NWM) in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and AJL in Bilbao, Spain. Mean and percentage IOP reduction and medications required were evaluated at annual intervals, along with pre-operative and final visual acuity. Significance of change was assessed by two-tailed paired t-test. Failure was designated as any eye requiring placement of another shunt or diode-cyclophotocoagulation. All data are included in this analysis regardless of outcome. Thirty-five retrobulbar shunts were implanted (18M, 17F; mean 54.3years; mean follow-up 32.5months). Short-term AJL shunt performance was comparable to that of the 26 NWM shunts, for which there was longer-term follow-up. Three shunts (9%) failed: Two eyes required diode at 6months, one another standard shunt after > 2years. Preoperativemedications averaged 2.6, reduced to 0.4-0.75 medications at each annual assessment (P < 0.0001). IOP was substantially reduced (by 53-57% from mean baseline 29.9-32.5mmHg to 16.4-18.4mmHg; P < 0.0008) at every annual follow-up. Visual acuity remained stable (baseline mean VA 0.27, final VA 0.30; P = 0.68). Retrobulbar extension shunts can convert tube shunt failures, with high success rate, to eyes with IOP control comparable to successful primary filtration surgery.

Ciliary Sulcus Implantation of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in Patients with Corneal Decompensation Risk.

Objectives:The goal of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of ciliary sulcus implantation of the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV; New World Medical, Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA) in patients with a risk of corneal decompensation.Methods:Patients with a corneal decompensation risk who underwent AGV implantation at a single institution were included in this retrospective study. The patients’ preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the number of anti-glaucomatous eye drop medications used was compared with postoperative values. The success criteria were defined as a postoperative IOP of 5 to 21 mmHg and no loss of light perception.Results:Twenty-three eyes of 23 (16 male, 7 female) patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 64.6±14.6 years and the mean follow-up period was 15.8±8.3 months. The preoperative mean IOP was reduced from 33.6±9.1 mmHg to 16.9±5.1 mmHg at the last follow-up (p=0.000). The mean preoperative number of anti-glaucomatous eye drop medications used was 3.5±1.3. Postoperatively the mean was 1.7±1.4 at the last follow-up (p=0.000). The rate of total success was determined to be 78%. The postoperative mean BCVA did not change significantly. One patient lost light perception. A decrease in corneal clarity was observed in only 1 patient (4.3%). The postoperative complications observed were: bleb encapsulation (43%), hyphema (39%), tube occlusion (13%), choroidal detachment (8.7%), decompression retinopathy (8.7%), and corneal decompensation (4.3%).Conclusion:Ciliary sulcus implantation of an AGV was effective, both in terms of IOP and the decrease in anti-glaucomatous drug use in the short term. This technique may be a good choice in patients with a corneal decompensation risk due to the posterior chamber implantation.

Encapsulated Bleb Excision with Collagen Matrix Implantation Following Failed Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation.

PurposeTo investigate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of encapsulated bleb excision with collagen matrix implantation performed in patients with failed Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation.MethodsEighteen eyes of 18 patients underwent encapsulated bleb excision and collagen matrix implantation. Patients were divided into two groups by reference to intraocular pressure (IOP) after preoperative ocular massage: group 1, patients who exhibited substantial IOP reductions; and group 2, patients who did not show substantial changes in IOP. Needling was conducted in group 2. The clinical features of the two groups were compared, including IOP changes after ocular massage and needling, AGV status, and surgical outcomes 6 months after surgery.ResultsThe mean preoperative IOP among the 18 patients was 30.6 ± 5.7 mmHg. After ocular massage, the IOPs decreased by 22 and 26 mmHg in the two patients in group 1 and the 16 patients in group 2 showed a mean IOP reduction of 1.6 ± 2.2 mmHg (p = 0.013). IOPs decreased after needling in group 2 (range, 6 to 30 mmHg; p < 0.001). Fibrovascular tissue ingrowth into the AGV was observed in the two patients in group 1 and the same ingrowth was observed in 10 of the 16 patients in group 2. Six months after surgery the mean IOP among the 18 patients decreased significantly (19.1 ± 3.2 mmHg, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean postoperative IOP at 6 months between group 1 (14.0 ± 2.8 mmHg) and group 2 (19.8 ± 2.6 mmHg, p = 0.052).ConclusionsEncapsulated bleb excision with collagen matrix implantation resulted in a significant IOP-lowering effect 6 months after surgery. Fibrovascular ingrowth into the AGV was common but did not seem to be a major cause of AGV implantation failure.

Objective documentation of anterior chamber depth following trabeculectomy and its correlation with intraocular pressure and bleb functionality.

The purpose of this study was to objectively evaluate the anterior chamber depth (ACD) after trabeculectomy and to correlate its variations with the intraocular pressure (IOP) and bleb functionality.Fifty eyes (46 patients) were included in this prospective study. ACD was documented with the use of a non-contact optical device (IOL Master-Carl Zeiss Meditec) and IOP was measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer.Ophthalmological examination, IOP, and ACD measurements were performed before surgery, the day after and weekly thereafter.Linear regression Analysis between the 2 variables was performed and correlation coefficients were estimated. A 2-tailed t test was used and a P value < .05 was considered as statistically significant.Correlation coefficients between ACD and IOP, during the follow-up period, resulted in a moderate to strong positive relationship (r = 0.2–0.7), which since the 1st week resulted statistically significant at 5%.Twenty seven eyes (54%) needed at least 1 needling procedure. Considering each group separately, until the 3rd post-op week, the correlation coefficients in the needling group resulted higher than those in the non-needling group. Furthermore, in the needling group, the relationship between ACD and IOP, for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week was statistically significant at 5%.The objective documentation of the ACD in the early post-trabeculectomy period presents a moderate to strong positive correlation with the IOP.Furthermore, the brisk deepening of the ACD during the first 2 to 4 post-operative weeks is strongly correlated with the increase of the IOP and early signs of bleb encapsulation.