Management of blebitis in the United Kingdom: a survey.

AIM: To investigate the current management trend in blebitis among glaucoma consultants registered with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (London).

METHOD: An anonymous survey consisting of 13 questions to ascertain blebitis management was posted to the glaucoma consultants. A χ(2) test was used to analyse the correlation patterns among respondents' answers to the questionnaire.

RESULTS

Out of 112 questionnaires, 68 (61%) were returned. Fifty-five per cent of the consultants admit blebitis patients into hospital for treatment. Seventy-four per cent obtain a conjunctival swab, and 28% instil iodine on the conjunctiva as part of their treatment regime. Thirty-four per cent use topical fluroquinolone monotherapy, 28% cefuroxime and gentamicin, 18% fluroquinolone with cefuroxime, and 9% ceftazidime and vancomycin. Fluroquinolones are the only oral antibiotics used by those who routinely prescribe oral treatment (69%). One-fifth of respondents use intravitreal antibiotic in treating blebitis patients. Eighty-two per cent surveyed include topical corticosteroids as part of their treatment regime. Ninety-one per cent use a topical cycloplegic. Twenty-three per cent of the respondents treat blebitis as endophthalmitis, even without or with only mild anterior chamber (AC) activity. Thirty-eight per cent would do so if there was moderate AC activity, and 34% if there was severe AC activity including a hypopyon.

CONCLUSION

A wide variation exists in the management of blebitis among glaucoma consultants. A standard treatment regime does not exist at the moment. Further research is needed to ascertain effective strategies to manage this condition.