Abstract
Purpose::
To investigate the relation between filtering bleb function and optical coherence tomography (OCT), and to establish a new classification of filtering blebs on the basis of OCT findings.
Methods::
One year observational case series. Seventy-one eyes of 64 consecutive patients who underwent primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) and a fornix based conjunctival flap. Filtering blebs were examined by using OCT. The surgical success was defined by the following criteria: (A) intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 18 mmHg and IOP reduction ≥ 20%; and (B) IOP ≤ 15 mmHg and IOP reduction ≥ 25%. Success rates among classified groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test.
Results::
Blebs were classified into three different categories on the basis of the following OCT patterns; diffuse type (30 eyes), layer type (24 eyes) and space type (17 eyes). For criteria A, success rates were 97%, 79%, and 94% (P = 0.07) in diffuse type bleb, layer type bleb, and space type bleb, respectively; while the success rates for criteria B, 97%, 75%, and 94% (P = 0.03) in these type blebs, respectively.
Conclusions::
In trabeculectomy with MMC and a fornix based conjunctival flap, postoperative OCT findings of filtering blebs are significantly associated with success rates when lower IOPs are required.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • intraocular pressure