Treatment of encapsulated blebs with slit-lamp needling and subconjunctival interferon injection

To investigate the efficacy and safety of slit-lamp needle revision with subconjunctival interferon injection in eyes with encapsulated blebs.

We reviewed a series of 25 cases (27 eyes) in which primary needling with 5×105 IFN α-2b injection was performed for bleb encapsulation and analysed the results over a follow-up period of at least 12 months.

The mean time to development of encapsulated blebs after the surgery was 23.85 ± 10.66 days (9 to 60 days). The mean IOP decreased significantly from 22.51 ± 5.30 mm Hg at diagnosis of encapsulated blebs to 17.26±7.72 mmHg at the last visit (P = 0.009). Of the 27 eyes, 15 (55.56%) achieved a successful result, 10 (37.04%) were qualified for success and the remaining 2 (7.4%) were considered as failure. The qualified success group took 1.70 ± 0.67 antiglaucoma medications. No serious complications were detected.

The needling procedure associated with subconjuctival injection of IFN α-2b is a safe and effective method in treating encapsulated blebs.