Background: In contrast to all other glaucoma surgeries, filtration surgery is associated with biomicroscopically visible wound healing, which enables the surgeon to perform revision surgeries if necessary.
Objectives: The aim of this review is to provide general considerations and to give a structured overview about bleb revisions after trabeculectomy.
Materials and methods: The different revision techniques are explained in detail and in the context of perioperative management.
Results: Preoperative preparation and modifications of the surgical techniques reduce the incidence of postoperative revisions. The site of the fibrosis defines the revision technique (bleb needling, needle revision, bleb revision with reopening). The increased percolation rate of aqueous humor in postoperative hypotony contributes to fibrosis and may lead to maculopathy, choroidal effusion, and suprachoroidal hemorrhage.
Discussion: Discontinuing administration of local medication and pretreatment with steroids without preservative for at least one week prior to surgery increase surgical success of trabeculectomy and reduce the incidence of postoperative revisions. Postoperative management after filtration surgery should be performed after consulting the surgeon. The primary endpoint of trabeculectomy is an intraocular pressure between 8 and 12 mm Hg without local antiglaucomatous medication. In postoperative hypotony revisions should be done earlier and based on the pathological findings.
Keywords: Glaucoma; Intraocular pressure; Surgery; Trabeculectomy; Wound healing.