title: Prospective observation of filtration blebs in high-risk eyes with limbal-based conjunctival flap.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate time-dependent changes in filtering bleb parameters using 3-dimensional anterior segment optical coherence tomography (3-D AS-OCT) in high-risk eyes after a limbal-based trabeculectomy procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients who underwent uncombined limbal-based trabeculectomy surgery and who also had a history of prior intraocular surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 23 eyes, 15 eyes were followed for 1 year without additional glaucoma surgeries, and their bleb parameters were measured 0.5, 3, 6, and 12 months after the trabeculectomy using 3-dimensional anterior segment optical coherence tomography. The correlations of these parameters to other clinical data were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis showed significant changes in the bleb wall thickness (0.7 ± 0.4 mm vs 0.4 ± 0.2 mm; p = 0.007) and fluid cavity height (0.3 ± 0.2 mm vs 0.7 ± 0.4 mm; p = 0.005) between 0.5 and 3 months only. The width of the filtration openings at 0.5 months after trabeculectomy (2.1 ± 1.0 mm) was significantly associated with the intraocular pressure at 12 months (15.1 ± 5.7 mm Hg; R2= 0.37, t = -2.65, and p = 0.021).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The width of the filtration opening in the early stage may be a prognostic factor for long-term intraocular pressure control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Momoka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.. Electronic address: noel@da2.so-net.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Sachi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Kei-Ichi
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Ayako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidenobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanihara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D054047:Surgical Stomas; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014130:Trabeculectomy