Treatment of Encapsulated Blebs with Slit-Lamp Needling and Subconjunctival Interferon Injection

Purpose:To investigate the efficacy and safety of slit-lamp needle revision with subconjunctival interferon injection in eyes with encapsulated blebs.Methods:We reviewed a series of 25 cases(27 eyes) in which primary needling with 5×105 IFN α-2b injection was performed for bleb encapsulation and analysed the results over a follow-up period of at least 12 months.Results:The mean time to development of encapsulated blebs after the surgery was 23.85±10.66 days(9 to 60 days).The mean IOP decreased significantly from 22.51±5.30 mm Hg at diagnosis of encapsulated blebs to 17.26±7.72 mm Hg at the last visit(P=0.009).Of the 27 eyes,15(55.56%) achieved a successful result,10(37.04%) were qualified for success and the remaining 2(7.4%) were considered as failure.The qualified success group took 1.70±0.67 antiglaucoma medications.No serious complications were detected.Conclusion:The needling procedure associated with subconjuctival injection of IFN α-2b is a safe and effective method in treating encapsulated blebs.