RESUMO
PURPOSE: We analyse the different options for the management of encapsulated blebs after glaucoma drainage device surgery, specially subconjunctival 5-fluouracil (5-FU) injections with or without associated needling. METHODS: Retrospective review of 20 eyes with encapsulated blebs following glaucoma drainage device surgery. All of the eyes received topical corticosteroids associated to digital massage. Subconjunctival 5-FU was necessary in 10 eyes, associated to needling of the bleb in 5 of them and to capsule excision in 2. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes were considered successes (complete in 10 eyes and uncomplete in 5). Eight of them had been treated with 5-FU (80% success in the 5-FU treated eyes group), associated to needling and/or capsule excision in 4 of them. The remaining 7 eyes were only treated conservatively (70% success with corticoid therapy and digital pressure). CONCLUSIONS: We have obtained in our study very good results using subconjunctival 5-FU injections, associated in complicated or refractory cases to needling revision, in eyes with encapsulated blebs after glaucoma drainage device surgery, with no major complications (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2002; 77: 429-434).