Removal of aqueous humor and conjunctival compression sutures for a dysesthesic filtering bleb: A surgical technique and case report

IntroductionTo present a novel surgical technique for the treatment of a steep-walled filtering bleb following an Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. The primary aim was to alleviate the patient's discomfort and address associated corneal thinning, complications that can arise from this condition.MethodsCase report and surgical technique. This case report describes a 29-year-old female who developed a dysesthesic filtering bleb following the implantation of a glaucoma drainage device. The employed surgical technique to address this complication involved the drainage of aqueous from the bleb using a 30-G needle, which effectively reduced its height. Subsequently, a compression suture was applied to maintain an appropriate bleb size.ResultsWith the presented surgical technique, the ultimate control of an overhigh filtering bleb associated to a glaucoma drainage device was possible. Following the procedure, the patient's symptoms and the corneal thinning linked to the bleb's excessive size were successfully managed. Furthermore, the anatomy of the filtering bleb was preserved, and an optimal intraocular pressure outcome was achieved.ConclusionsThe removal of aqueous and the application of a compression suture are two surgical techniques traditionally used for managing the hypertensive phase of glaucoma drainage devices and for alleviating discomfort from blebs after classical filtering surgery, respectively. In the case presented, the combination of these two techniques effectively reduced the size of an excessively high filtering bleb associated with a glaucoma drainage device. This approach successfully resolved the patient's discomfort and corneal issues related to this complication.