Experience in managing glaucoma filtration surgery complications with oral doxycycline: A case series

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2022 Jul;32(4):NP26-NP29. doi: 10.1177/1120672121992953. Epub 2021 Feb 7.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the clinical profile and effectiveness of oral doxycycline as a non-invasive treatment for glaucoma filtering surgery complications.

Method: Prospective case series.

Results: Doxycycline is widely used in treating corneal melts, ocular surface diseases, meibomian gland disease, recurrent epithelial cell erosion, rosacea, and keratitis sicca. This prospective case series highlights the successful treatment of five patients with leaking blebs and conjunctiva erosion from glaucoma filtration surgery with the use of oral doxycycline. There was no adverse event reported in our cases.

Conclusions: This study suggests that oral doxycycline may be a feasible non-surgical treatment modality due to its ability to inhibit collagenolysis, restore the Meibomian gland function, thereby stopping breakdown and promote conjunctival tissue healing.

Keywords: Doxycycline; bleb leaks; complication; glaucoma filtration surgery; hypotony.

MeSH terms

  • Conjunctiva / surgery
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Filtering Surgery* / adverse effects
  • Glaucoma* / drug therapy
  • Glaucoma* / etiology
  • Glaucoma* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Trabeculectomy* / adverse effects

Substances

  • Doxycycline