How old is your bleb?

[Vich81]

There looks to be a few burst blood vessels at the side of my bleb which is worrying but it otherwise seems ok and I had a bigger bleed around it last year which the eye doc said was perfectly fine so at this stage I’m not going to panic. BUT this then got me thinking about the longevity of my bleb! Which is never a good thought as I can feel the age old panic creep in. Mine is coming up for 12 years. Long may it live, I can but hope. I’m 41. Anyone have a long timer bleb?

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello. Yes, I have spoken to people on the Helpline who have had their blebs for 25 years or more. Seldom, blebitis (infection of the bleb) can occur giving symptoms of redness, photophobia, tearing, pain, blurry vision, discharge, lid swelling, irritation and/or itching. This would need to be dealt with straight away. I am not saying it is this, but if you experience any of the symptoms described, do attend your local A&E department.

Hopefully, someone will come forward, who has had their trabeculectomy for many years and is sill free from bleb problems.

A procedure called needling can be done, should drainage become blocked, due to scarring.

[Vich81 in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks Helen. Thankfully today the redness has gone :). I’m always dreading the day I get an infection but so far so good. I am very protective of my bleb! I had some initial needling approx a year after the trab and touch wood, no one has had to fiddle with it since. I am on a mild blood thinner so I’m not sure if this maybe causes the redness every now and again.

[Peg99]

Hello Vich81 ... I had my trabs done 32 years ago and I have never had any trouble with my blebs which warranted intervention. I only ever had itchiness or a tiny bit of swelling but it always went away overnight.

I'm not a lucky person, generally speaking, but I have obviously been very lucky with this. I keep my fingers crossed and hope this gives you a bit more hope.

[Vich81 in reply to Peg99]

That is fantastic for you. Gives me and others hope. I can’t claim being very young now (41) but I was when diagnosed at 23 so I really do hope beyond hope that my bleb and eyes go the distance x