Three-dimensional anterior segment optical coherence tomography of filtering blebs after trabeculectomy

J Glaucoma. 2008 Apr-May;17(3):193-6. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0b013e31815a34cd.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate trabeculectomy blebs by using 3-dimensional anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: We prospectively examined 4 eyes of 4 patients who developed filtering blebs after trabeculectomy. A 1310-nm high-speed OCT prototype was used to image the 3-dimensional structure of the filtering blebs.

Results: The 3-dimensional structure of the filtering blebs was clearly observed in the OCT images. Three types of filtering blebs were observed: diffuse blebs in 2 eyes, an encapsulated bleb in 1 eye, and a nonfunctioning cystic bleb in 1 eye. The volume of each bleb was 9.97, 1.10, 0.76, and 0.88 mm3, respectively. En-face OCT images clearly showed the aqueous outflow channels at the margins of the scleral flaps.

Conclusion: Three-dimensional OCT allows objective and noninvasive assessment of filtering blebs after trabeculectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anterior Eye Segment / pathology*
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / diagnosis
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sclera / pathology
  • Surgical Flaps / pathology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods*
  • Trabeculectomy*