Long term outcome of 5-Fluorouracil(5-FU) augmented bleb needling revision of failed and failing filtration blebs.

Purpose: To evaluate the long term outcome of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) augmented bleb needling revision of failed and failing filtration blebs based on survival analysis and to identify risk factors for failure, indicators for success and complications.Methods: This was a prospective, interventional case series with survival analysis. 32 eyes of 32 patients underwent bleb needling augmented with 5-FU and were then followed up. Statistical analysis was done to assess the association between study factors and time to failure. Main outcome measures were reduction in IOP ( 28 mm of Hg and failure and immediate attainment of low IOP <11 mmHg and longer survival. None of the other proposed factors were identified as having statistically significant effect. Conclusions: This long term study shows that bleb needling augmented with 5-FU is a safe and effective method by which a significant number of failed or failing filtration blebs can be rescued. Attaining an immediate reduction in IOP <11 mmHg seems to be a favorable factor with respect to reasonably long-term efficacy.