Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of needle revision combined with subconjuctival injection of interferon α-2b in reversing early scarring of filtering blebs following trabeculectomy surgery.

Methods: Twenty-five glaucoma patients (31 eyes) who presented with scarred or encapsulated filtering bleb after glaucoma surgery underwent needle revision in combination with subconjuctival injection of interferon α-2b, and were followed for 12 months. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and filtering bleb morphology were observed post treatment.

Results: The mean time until scarring occurred was 21.0±7.4 days. The average time between recognition of bleb scarring and completion of needle revision was 2.2±0.8 days. The time interval between surgery and needle revision was inversely correlated with the time until needle revision (r = -0.694, P<0.001). The mean IOPs before and after needle revision were 24.2±2.7mmHg and 19.6±3.8mmHg, respectively (t = 5.916，P<0.001). At the 12-month follow-up visit, 18 eyes (58.1%) achieved complete success in IOP control, and 6 eyes (19.4%) had conditional success. The overall success rate for needling was thus 77.4%. Subconjunctival hemorrhage was observed in 4 eyes during the needle revision procedure. Punctate staining was found in the corneal epithelium of 2 eyes. Shallow anterior chamber (Grade I or II) was identified in 5 eyes.

Conclusions: Slit-lamp needle revision combined with subconjunctival injection of interferon α-2b may be efficacious in the treatment of early scarring of filtering blebs, is easy and safe to perform, and may be considered for more widespread application.