Comparison of the Intrableb Characteristics of Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging in Trabeculectomy according to Amniotic Membrane Transplantation

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of filtering bleb with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) according to amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). Methods: One hundred and sixteen eyes of 103 glaucoma patients who underwent trabeculectomy with (AMT group; 85 eyes) or without AMT (control group; 31 eyes) were included. Intrableb parameters were evaluated with AS-OCT. Surgical success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) & LE;18 mm Hg and IOP reduction & GE;20% without medication at the time of AS-OCT examination. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with IOP control. Results: In the eyes with successful IOP control, the fluid-filled space area, score, and height were greater for the AMT group than the control group (all ps < 0.001), while stripping layer thickness was greater and bleb wall reflectivity was lower for the control group than the AMT group (all ps < 0.001). Surgical success in the AMT group was associated with greater fluid-filled space score, lower bleb wall reflectivity, and microcyst formation (odds ratio [OR] = 8.016, 0.913, and 16.202, respectively, all ps & LE; 0.041). Lower bleb wall reflectivity alone was associated with surgical success in the control group (OR = 0.815, p = 0.019). Conclusion: The extent of the fluid-filled space was associated with successful IOP control after trabeculectomy with AMT. Hyporeflective bleb wall was associated with successful IOP control in AMT and control groups.

Automated summary

This study aimed to compare the characteristics of filtering bleb with anterior segment optical coherence tomography according to amniotic membrane transplantation. The findings showed that the size of the fluid-filled space and the presence of amniotic membrane transplantation were associated with surgical success.