Autologous conjunctival resurfacing of leaking filtering blebs.
OBJECTIVE
To present a case series of a new technique to repair late bleb leaks.


METHODS
Retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series.


METHODS
Forty-seven autologous conjunctival resurfacings of late bleb leaks were performed by four surgeons at two institutions.


METHODS
Autologous conjunctival grafts were placed over existing de-epithelialized leaking blebs.


METHODS
Leak-free, Seidel-negative blebs and controlled glaucoma.


RESULTS
After a mean follow-up of 14 +/- 12 months, one patient continued to have bleb leak at the last follow-up, and one frank leak resolved with aqueous suppression. Intraocular pressure increased from 6.6 +/- 4.4 mmHg (0.13 glaucoma medications) to 11.9 +/- 4.1 mmHg (0.41 glaucoma medications).


CONCLUSIONS
Conjunctival resurfacing with autologous tissue is an effective technique to repair late bleb leaks.
Harris
L D
LD
Hermann Eye Center, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
Yang
G
G
Feldman
R M
RM
Fellman
R L
RL
Starita
R J
RJ
Lynn
J
J
Chuang
A Z
AZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D018463:Filtering Surgery; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps