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INTRODUCTION
Lid retraction due to large cystic glaucoma fltration
blebs is a rare entity. We present a case series of 5
patients, review the literature and discuss approaches
to management.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
This study is a retrospective review of cases of lid
retraction due to glaucoma fltering blebs. The study
was conducted according to the principles of the
Declaration of Helsinki. All of the following patients
denied a history of thyroid disease, trauma, or
previous eyelid surgery. Other causes of lid retraction
were excluded on the basis of history, examination,
blood investigations and, in certain cases, orbital
imaging. In all patients, serum level of free T4,
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid receptor
antibodies test were negative for thyroid disease. In
all patients, the difference in palpebral fssure widths
was maintained in downgaze. After manual down-
ward distraction of the eyelid past the bleb, the lid
reverted to its original position upon release.
Where patients opted for surgical correction of
their lid retraction, our choice of approach was a
graded full thickness anterior blepharotomy. We
modifed the technique by using adjustable sutures
to fne-tune the fnal eyelid height as required on the
ffth post-operative day.
Case 1
A 64-year-old man with secondary traumatic
glaucoma required glaucoma fltration surgery. He
later developed a divergent squint that required
correction on 2 occasions. The excessive conjunctival
manipulation resulted in an exuberant bleb. He
presented with signifcant right bleb dysesthesia
with pain, dryness and irritation.
Lid retraction and a large drainage bleb, extending
7mm posteriorly, was noted on the right. (Figure 1).
A bleb compression suture and sub-conjunctival
autologous blood injection was administered. This
reduced the bleb size without compromising the IOP
control. However, his dysesthesia symptoms and lid
retraction persisted.
Orbit, 28(6), 363–367, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
ISSN: 0167-6830 print/ 1744-5108 online
DOI: 10.3109/01676830903180306
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Lid Retraction Following Glaucoma Filtering
Surgery: A Case Series and Literature Review
Manuel Saldana FRCOphth, Deepak Gupta MRCOphth, Mona Khandwala FRCS, and
Bijan Beigi FRCOphth
Norfolk and Norwich NHS Trust, Ophthalmology, Colney Lane, Norwich, nr4 7up United Kingdom
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To describe 5 cases of lid retraction associated with large cystic glaucoma fltering blebs.
Methods: Retrospective case reports and literature review.
Results: All 5 patients had lid retraction due to glaucoma fltering blebs. Two were successfully
managed surgically by graded blepharotomy with resolution of lid retraction and bleb dysesthe-
sia symptoms. Three patients were managed symptomatically.
Conclusions: Lid retraction due to cystic glaucoma blebs is an unusual entity and a diagnosis of
exclusion. The exact pathogenesis of the condition is unclear. Conservative, medical and surgical
interventions exist to manage the lid retraction and any associated bleb dysesthesia.
KEYWORDS: Lid retraction; bleb dysesthesia; glaucoma; fltering surgery
Received 25 January 2009; revised 28 May 2009; accepted 12 July 2009
Correspondence: D. Gupta, Norfolk and Norwich NHS Trust,
Ophthalmology, Colney Lane, Norwich, nr4 7up United
Kingdom. E-mail: dgupta_01@yahoo.com