Outpatient treatment of bleb infection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the outcome of outpatient treatment of bleb infection after trabeculectomy.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
University referral center.


METHODS
Twelve eyes with bleb infection and without clinical vitreous involvement of 11 patients treated as out-patients from January 1994 to May 1996.


METHODS
After culture of the bleb surface, treatment consisted of intensive topical antibiotics alone (9 eyes), combined with subconjunctival antibiotic injection (1 eye), oral antibiotics (1 eye), or both (1 eye). Five eyes received topical corticosteroids.


METHODS
Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and bleb characteristics.


RESULTS
All eyes responded to treatment within 24 to 48 hours, and recovered visual acuity to within 1 line of the preinfection level. Intraocular pressure continued to be controlled after resolution of infection in 11 eyes (92%); 1 bleb failed and medical therapy was resumed. Bleb leaks were noted during treatment of infection in 11 eyes, and 5 eyes (42%) underwent bleb revision. Organisms cultured from the bleb surface included Staphylococcus aureus (8 eyes), Haemophilus influenzae (2 eyes), and Streptococcus (1 eye). Outpatient treatment costs were estimated to be 78% less than inpatient treatment costs, per 24 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Outpatient treatment of bleb infection was efficacious in this group of patients.
Chen
P P
PP
pchen@u.washington.edu
Gedde
S J
SJ
Budenz
D L
DL
Parrish
R K
RK
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000382:microbiology; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids