The clinical appearance of cystic
blebs and the incidence of
bleb infection were retrospectively evaluated in 215
trabeculectomies with
mitomycin C. The incidence of cystic
bleb formation in
trabeculectomy was 79% (169/215). The cumulative incidence of the cystic
bleb survival when using the Kaplan-Meier method was 73% in the 50th month after surgery. The incidence of large cystic
bleb survival was better than that of small and localized cystic
blebs. There was statistically significant difference. The incidence of cystic
bleb survival without Seidel phenomenon and
bleb infection was 96% in the first year after surgery and 91% in the third year.
Bleb infections occurred in two of 169 eyes (1.2%).
Bleb infection was successfully treated and there were no cases of
endophthalmitis. The large cystic
blebs had a higher incidence of
bleb infection than the small ones. In one of 25 eyes treated with
antibiotic eye drops after surgery, the Seidel test was positive and
bleb infection occurred. The Seidel test was positive in 5 of 96 eyes in which
antibiotic eye drops were not used and
bleb infection occurred in one of these 5 eyes.