In vivo confocal microscopy study of blebs after filtering surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze bleb structure after filtering surgery at the cellular level using a new generation in vivo confocal microscope.


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated 17 filtering blebs of 13 patients after trabeculectomy.


METHODS
Ophthalmologic examinations included slit-lamp examination, applanation tonometry, and in vivo confocal microscopy (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II, Rostock Cornea Module). Eyes were classified into 3 groups: (1) functioning blebs (6 eyes), (2) nonfunctioning blebs (6 eyes), and (3) functioning blebs after application of mitomycin C (5 eyes). Cellular patterns, morphologic appearance, and functional aspects of functioning and nonfunctioning blebs were compared in a masked manner.


METHODS
In vivo confocal microscopy images were analyzed for number of intraepithelial microcysts, density of subepithelial connective tissue, presence of blood vessels, or encapsulation.


RESULTS
All functioning blebs had numerous intraepithelial optically-empty microcysts, whereas all nonfunctioning blebs had none or few. Subepithelial connective tissue was widely spaced in all functioning blebs, whereas the tissue was dense in 83.3% of nonfunctioning blebs. Functioning blebs with mitomycin C had numerous microcysts and loosely arranged subepithelial connective tissue as compared with nonfunctioning blebs.


CONCLUSIONS
In vivo confocal microscopy study of blebs is an original method that agrees well with ex vivo histologic examination. The number of microcysts and the density of the subepithelial connective tissue observed with in vivo confocal microscopy are correlated with bleb function. By providing details of the structures of filtering blebs at the cellular level, in vivo confocal microscopy constitutes a new promising way to understand wound healing mechanisms after filtering surgery.
Labbé
Antoine
A
Department of Ophthalmology III, Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital, Paris, France.
Dupas
Bénédicte
B
Hamard
Pascale
P
Baudouin
Christophe
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001768:Blister / Q000473:pathology*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000601:surgery*; D014130:Trabeculectomy