Purpose: To evaluate the results of bleb needling in eyes subjected to filtering surgery six months or more previously. Methods: A retrospective study of 23 eyes in 21 patients subjected to bleb needling performed by means of a 25G needle, 6 months to 23 years after failed filtering surgery (mean 67.3 months). The mean number of bleb needlings was 1.2 and the mean number of 5-fluorouracil subconjunctival injections was 3.9. Results: The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) before needling was 26 mmHg and the mean anti-glaucoma medications was 1.3 per eye. The mean postoperative IOP was 16.3 mmHg and mean antiglaucoma medications 0.7. A diffuse filtering bleb was evident in 12 eyes (54.5%). The results of needling were worse in eyes subjected to previous surgery for glaucoma or other failed bleb needling procedures (75% failure). Conclusion: Needle revision of the filtering bleb is a simple and safe technique that offers good results even years after a filtering surgery had been perfor- ORIGINAL ARTICLE RESUMENObjetivo: Analizar los resultados de la cistitomía de la ampolla de filtración en ojos operados de cirugía filtrante de glaucoma seis meses antes o más. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 23 ojos de 21 pacientes en los que se ha realizado revisión de la ampolla de filtración con una aguja de 25 G, entre 6 meses y 23 años tras cirugía filtrante (media 67,3 meses). Se realizaron una media de 1,2 cistitomías por ojo y 3,9 inyecciones de 5-fluorouracilo subconjuntival. Resultados: De una presión intraocular (PIO) media preoperatoria de 26 mmHg y 1,3 fármacos hipotensores hemos pasado a una PIO media postoperatoria de 16,3 mmHg y una media de 0,7 fárma-cos, con una ampolla de filtración difusa en 12 casos (54,5%). Los resultados fueron peores en ojos con cirugía previa de glaucoma u otra cistitomía previa fracasada (75% fracaso). Conclusiones: La revisión con aguja es una técnica sencilla y segura que ofrece buenos resultados incluso años después de una cirugía filtrante, y debe ser considerada de manera previa a la reinstaura-518 ARCH SOC ESP OFTALMOL 2006; 81: 517-522 PERUCHO-MARTÍNEZ S, et al.

AIM: To develop a classifier for differentiating between healthy and early stage glaucoma eyes based on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT), using machine learning algorithms with a high interpretability. METHODS: Ninety patients with early glaucoma and 85 healthy eyes were included. Early glaucoma eyes showed a visual field (VF) defect with mean deviation >-6.00 dB and characteristic glaucomatous morphology. RNFL thickness in every quadrant, clock-hour and average thickness were used to feed machine learning algorithms. Cluster analysis was conducted to detect and exclude outliers. Tree gradient boosting algorithms were used to calculate the importance of parameters on the classifier and to check the relation between their values and its impact on the classifier. Parameters with the lowest importance were excluded and a weighted decision tree analysis was applied to obtain an interpretable classifier. Area under the ROC curve (AUC), accuracy and generalization ability of the model were estimated using cross validation techniques. RESULTS: Average and 7 clock-hour RNFL thicknesses were the parameters with the highest importance. Correlation between parameter values and impact on classification displayed a stepped pattern for average thickness. Decision tree model revealed that average thickness lower than 82 µm was a high predictor for early glaucoma. Model scores had AUC of 0.953 (95%CI: 0.903- 0998), with an accuracy of 89%. CONCLUSION: Gradient boosting methods provide accurate and highly interpretable classifiers to discriminate between early glaucoma and healthy eyes. Average and 7-hour RNFL thicknesses have the best discriminant power.

To assess the effectiveness and safety of primary-needling in eyes who underwent a XEN45 implant. Methods: Retrospective and single center study. Consecutive patients with early-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension, who underwent XEN45 surgery, either alone or combined with phacoemulsification, and had at least a valid 12-month post-operative visit, were included in the study. Primary needling was performed by using a 30-gauge needle without viscoelastic. Subjects were divided in two groups: Eyes who underwent XEN+primary-needling (needling) and those who underwent XEN without primary-needling (no-needling). The primary end-point was the mean change in IOP from baseline to the last follow-up visit. Results: Sixty-three eyes, 19 (30.2%) in the needling group and 44 (69.8%) in the no-needling one, were included in the study. There were not significant differences in mean IOP lowering between needling and no-needling groups at month-12 (mean difference −2.5 ±5.3 mm Hg, p=0.0926). No significant differences in mean reduction of ocular-hypotensive medications were observed between needling and no-needling groups, p=0.8690. At month-12, 50 (80.6%) had blebs considered as functioning, with no difference between groups, p = 0.5631. At month-12, 59 (93.7%) eyes were classified as success, with no significant differences between needling (17/19) and no-needling (42/44) groups, p=0.3754. Secondary needling was performed in 8 (12.7%) eyes, without differences between groups (p=0.6333). Conclusion: Primary needling, at the time of surgery, was a safe procedure in OAG patients who underwent a XEN implant, although it was not associated with a lower postoperative IOP or less ocular hypotensive medications.

We attained a prompt diagnosis and treatment in a high percentage of cases. Prompt diagnosis and treatment will determine the visual prognosis of these patients. We must continue trying to shorten this period of time in order that all children with this condition are diagnosed and treated urgently and efficiently.

In this case series, we confirm the low frequency of caruncular neoplasms as well as the wide variety of histopathologic types found in this location. There was a wide range of ages and we did not find any evident sex predominance. Malignant lesions were uncommon, with only one case of basal cell carcinoma. Our results are similar to those of other case series.