Autologous conjunctival resurfacing of leaking filtering blebs.

Abstract

To present a case series of a new technique to repair late bleb leaks. Retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series. Forty-seven autologous conjunctival resurfacings of late bleb leaks were performed by four surgeons at two institutions. Autologous conjunctival grafts were placed over existing de-epithelialized leaking blebs. Leak-free, Seidel-negative blebs and controlled glaucoma. After a mean follow-up of 14 +/- 12 months, one patient continued to have bleb leak at the last follow-up, and one frank leak resolved with aqueous suppression. Intraocular pressure increased from 6.6 +/- 4.4 mmHg (0.13 glaucoma medications) to 11.9 +/- 4.1 mmHg (0.41 glaucoma medications). Conjunctival resurfacing with autologous tissue is an effective technique to repair late bleb leaks.