[Ocular echographic evaluation of human aqueous drainage implant].
OBJECTIVE
To determine after implantation of a glaucoma aqueous drainage device whether fluid is present around the equatorial plate and to measure the bleb size around the plate.


METHODS
41 plates in 41 patients (41 eyes) with refractory glaucoma who had undergone human aqueous drainage (HAD) implantation underwent standardized echography (both A- and B-scan examinations) after a mean postoperative follow-up period, 5.2 months. According to the bleb height and the fluid underlying and/or overlying the plate, the blebs were divided into five grades and two types to evaluate their functions.


RESULTS
Of the 41 cases examined with echography, 35 (85%) were associated with posterior blebs, 2 (5%) had no associated posterior blebs, and the posterior bleb in 4 (10%) cases was not certain. The percentage of the presence of filtering bleb around the plate was 15%, 12%, 29%, 37%, and 7% in Grade 0 to IV group, and 11% and 89% in type A and B, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the bleb size and the level of intraocular pressure control.


CONCLUSIONS
Standardized ocular echography is helpful in the postoperative management of failed cases who have undergone HAD implantation because it can demonstrate the presence or absence of blebs and characterize them.
Duan
X
X
Department of Ophthalmology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hunan Medical University, Changsha.
Jiang
Y
Y
Liu
X
X
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005123:Eye / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014463:Ultrasonography