Quantitative Evaluation of Phase Retardation in Filtering Blebs Using Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Glaucoma surgery aims to reduce intraocular pressure.
• Filtering blebs are crucial for surgical success.
• Scar fibrosis can impair bleb function over time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish quantitative methods for assessing phase retardation in filtering blebs using PS-OCT.
• To investigate the relationship between phase retardation and bleb function post-glaucoma surgery.

Main Methods:

• Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) was used to measure phase retardation in 22 blebs over 4 months.
• Quantitative analysis correlated phase retardation with intraocular pressure and medication use.
• A cross-sectional re-evaluation of 153 blebs was performed.

Main Results:

• Low phase retardation correlated with good bleb function initially.
• A significant increase in phase retardation was observed by 1 month post-surgery.
• Higher phase retardation at 1 month predicted subsequent bleb dysfunction (55.6% vs. 7.7% failure rate).

Conclusions:

• Increased phase retardation precedes bleb function deterioration.
• Quantitative PS-OCT phase retardation measurement serves as an early prognostic indicator for bleb function after glaucoma surgery.