Soft Bandage Contact Lenses in Management of Early Bleb Leak Following Trabeculectomy.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a soft bandage contact lens in the management of early bleb leak following trabeculectomy.

Methods: Between October 2011 and April 2013, 11 patients with early bleb leak following fornix-based trabeculectomy were instructed to wear a soft bandage contact lens 14 mm in diameter continuously for 1-2 weeks. The daily visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber situation, and healing condition were measured at 1, 3, and 7 d, after con tact lens removal, and 3 months after trabeculectomy. The conditions of blebs, sensation of wearing contact lens, and adverse events were recorded.

Results: Bleb leaks were observed at 2-8 d after surgery, (4.09 ± 1.10 d on average). The daily LogMAR visual acuity did not significantly differ before and after contact lens wear (P > 0.05). The IOP was significantly raised after at 1, 3, and 7 d after lens wear (all P < 0.05).The IOP at 3 months after lens wear did not significantly differ from that measured at lens removal (t = 1.191, P = 0.089). At 1 d after lens wear, 6 cases had deeper anterior chambers. All patients presented with a significantly deepened anterior chamber at 3 d after lens wear, and were restored to the preoperative conditions. The bleb leakage was successfully treated at 7 d after lens removal in 10 patients, while 1 patient had to wear the contact lens for another 7 d for full healing of the bleb leak. No ocular infection was noted throughout the management.

Conclusion: A soft bandage contact lens of 14 mm diameter is a safe and efficacious therapy for an early bleb leak following fornix-based trabeculectomy.