Incidence of Filtration Bullae-related Infections in Trabeculectomy Patients

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the incidence of filtration bullae-related infections in patients undergoing trabeculectomy; as well as their clinical behavior.

Methods: A longitudinal and retrospective descriptive study was performed. The universe was comprised of 1320 eyes with trabeculectomy and the sample consisted of 7 eyes with a diagnosis of infection related to the filtration bulla operated at the Villa Clara Ophthalmologic Center between January 2012 and December 2021.

Results: The overall incidence of infection in the filtration bullae was 0.53%. The incidence of blebitis and blebitis-endophthalmitis was 0.15 % and 0.38 %, respectively. Males were the most affected and the average age was 64.7 years. In all cases, the infection presented late with a average age of 4.1 years. Fifty-seven point one percent had best corrected visual acuity at the onset of hand motion infection. Bacterial growth was reported in 57.1 %, coagulase negative staphylococcus was the most frequent germ. Infection control was achieved in 6 patients while 2/3 of them had no improvement of best corrected visual acuity at resolution of infection, all with blebitis-endophthalmitis.

Conclusions: Infections related to filtration bullae are uncommon. They occur frequently years after filtering surgery and with poor visual acuity. Eyes with blebitis-endophthalmitis have poor visual recovery despite treatment.