title: Imaging of filtering blebs after implantation of the Ex-PRESS shunt with the use of the Visante optical coherence tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the features of the filtering blebs following implantation of the Ex-PRESS glaucoma device (model P-50) with the aid of the Visante anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients with open angle glaucomas were included in the study. They all underwent implantation of the Ex-PRESS device under a scleral flap. The surgical procedure was augmented with the use of mitomycin C subconjunctivally. The filtering blebs were analyzed with the Visante AS-OCT with the scans taken along the axis of the implantation of the glaucoma device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All filtering blebs were graded as diffuse functioning. The morphological characteristics of the blebs were similar to those of the trabeculectomy. However the use of the Ex-PRESS implant tend to form a characteristic episcleral lake at the site of the plate of the implant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the Ex-PRESS implant produces filtering blebs similar to those of the trabeculectomy with the formation of a characteristic episcleral lake at the site of the plate of the implant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthtalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis & Eye Institute of Thrace, Dragana 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Aristeidis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konstantinidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthtalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis & Eye Institute of Thrace, Dragana 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; Department of Ophthtalmology, Geneva University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Georgios D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Panos
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthtalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis & Eye Institute of Thrace, Dragana 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Magdalini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Triantafylla
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthtalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis & Eye Institute of Thrace, Dragana 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Labiris
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthtalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis & Eye Institute of Thrace, Dragana 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Efthimia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsaragli
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthtalmology, Geneva University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Zisis
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gatzioufas
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthtalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis & Eye Institute of Thrace, Dragana 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kozobolis
keywords: Ex-PRESS; glaucoma; optical coherence tomography