Late bleb leak management with trabeculectomy shutdown, Baerveldt glaucoma device implantation, and titratable tube lumen size.

PURPOSE: To report a case of late subconjunctival bleb leak, and its management to preserve vision and achieve optimal pressure control in a patient with advanced glaucoma, a 3+ Seidel positive bleb leak, and hypotony maculopathy in the better-seeing eye.

DESIGN

Case Report.

METHODS

Shutdown of the earlier trabeculectomy site with a scleral graft was achieved before insertion of a 250-mm Baerveldt glaucoma device. An absorbable ligature was used around the tube to prevent early postoperative hypotony. Additional pressure control was obtained by using a permanent polypropylene ligature to decrease the effective lumen size after the resorbence of the vicryl ligature. This suture was left in a location that would be accessible to laser suture-lysis, or manual removal if necessary.

RESULTS

Intraocular pressure at 1 year postoperatively was 13 mm Hg on no medications with resolution of the macular folds and 3 lines of improvement of Snellen corrected distance visual acuity. The leak was completely resolved.

CONCLUSION

Excellent pressure control was achieved in the surgical management of a late onset bleb leak by shutting down the old trabeculectomy, and inserting a new Baerveldt tube shunt with an adjustable lumen size.