TREATMENT OF POSTFILTRATION BLEB LEAKS WITH AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD

Background: Managing filtration surgery bleb leaks can be difficult as well as frustrating. Treatment options traditionally have included aq ueous suppressants, patching, and bleb compression devices. Previously , if conservative management failed, surgical revision was considered. Methods: Six patients with thin avascular blebs and discrete leaking holes (2 had had full-thickness procedures, 4 had had trabeculectomy w ith mitomycin C) underwent subconjunctival injection of approximately 1 ml of whole autologous blood. Injections were made just lateral and just medial to the domed cystic elevation of the blebs. Results: Five of six eyes were leak-free by the second day after the procedure. No c omplications occurred. After 4 to 12 months of follow-up, four eyes ar e currently leak-free. In these eyes, intraocular pressure is between 8 and 12 mmHg. Conclusion: Subconjunctival peribleb injection of autol ogous blood may be a safe and helpful adjunct in treating selected pos tfiltration surgery bleb leaks.