Clinical Outcomes of Index Needle Revision for Failed Deep Sclerectomy in Vietnamese Eyes.
Nguyen Thi Thuy Giang, Bui Thi Van Anh, Pham Trong Van
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This prospective study assessed first-time needle revision augmented with subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for failed non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) in Vietnamese patients. It included 41 eyes of 33 patients. Mean intraocular pressure fell from 27.66 ± 6.84 mmHg before revision to 14.10 ± 3.72 mmHg at 12 months (p < 0.001), while visual acuity changed minimally. At 12 months, complete and qualified success rates were 68.3% and 70.7%, respectively. Complications occurred, most commonly subconjunctival hemorrhage; no endophthalmitis was observed.
Key findings
- Mean intraocular pressure decreased from 27.66 ± 6.84 mmHg before revision to 14.10 ± 3.72 mmHg at 12 months (p < 0.001).
- At 12 months, complete success was 68.3% and qualified success was 70.7%.
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage occurred in 33 eyes (80.5%); hypotony occurred in 4 eyes (9.8%), all complications being reported in eyes with prior mitomycin C exposure.
- Best-corrected visual acuity changed minimally, from 0.67 ± 0.76 preoperatively to 0.65 ± 0.77 at 12 months.
Why it matters
Failed NPDS can leave intraocular pressure inadequately controlled. These findings suggest that 5-FU-augmented needle revision may restore bleb function and lower pressure over 12 months in this patient group, while also documenting postoperative complications relevant to procedural risk assessment. The reported caution around thin, avascular blebs is pertinent because hypotony was among the observed complications.
What to keep in mind
The prospective study included 41 eyes from 33 patients, and follow-up outcomes were reported through 12 months. The abstract does not describe a comparison group.