title: Bleb needling in encapsulated filtering blebs: evaluation by optical coherence tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) in describing the morphology and outcome of encapsulated filtering blebs after bleb needling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective assessment of 9 patients - before, 2 days and 6 months after filtering bleb needling with 5-FU - using slit-lamp examination, Goldmann tonometry and OCT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before the needling, the average internal height of the cyst was 1.3 +/- 0.8 mm. Two days after the needling procedure, the cyst collapsed in 5 patients. After 6 months, the average internal cyst height was 0.7 +/- 0.4 mm. All patients with a collapsed cyst at day 2 after needling had controlled regulated IOP without glaucoma medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preoperative internal height of the cyst does not correlate with the outcome of the needling. A collapsed cyst at day 2 after needling is an indicator of controlled intraocular pressure, whereas a prominent cyst after 6 months indicates poor function.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany. r.guthoff@uni-wuerzburg.de
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Guthoff
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Guthoff
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Hensler
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Grehn
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Klink
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001768:Blister / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D018463:Filtering Surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence