[Management of encapsulated blebs after glaucoma drainage device surgery]

We analyse the different options for the management of encapsulated blebs after glaucoma drainage device surgery, specially subconjunctival 5-fluouracil (5-FU) injections with or without associated needling.

Retrospective review of 20 eyes with encapsulated blebs following glaucoma drainage device surgery. All of the eyes received topical corticosteroids associated to digital massage. Subconjunctival 5-FU was necessary in 10 eyes, associated to needling of the bleb in 5 of them and to capsule excision in 2.

Fifteen eyes were considered successes (complete in 10 eyes and uncomplete in 5). Eight of them had been treated with 5-FU (80% success in the 5-FU treated eyes group), associated to needling and/or capsule excision in 4 of them. The remaining 7 eyes were only treated conservatively (70% success with corticoid therapy and digital pressure).

We have obtained in our study very good results using subconjunctival 5-FU injections, associated in complicated or refractory cases to needling revision, in eyes with encapsulated blebs after glaucoma drainage device surgery, with no major complications (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2002; 77: 429-434).