Effects of tranilast on filtering blebs: a pilot study.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of topical instillation of 0.5% tranilast eye drops on intraocular pressure (IOP) and bleb formation after glaucoma filtering surgery.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-masked, and controlled clinical trial. A total of 52 eyes of 52 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0.5% tranilast eye drops (24 eyes) or vehicle saline solution (28 eyes) 4 times daily for 3 months after trabeculectomy. Features of the bleb, such as vascularization and size, and intraocular pressure were studied.

Results: The incidence of vascularized bleb and "pseudopod" formation 6 months post treatment were more common in tranilast-treated eyes than control eyes (P = 0.019 and P = 0.043, respectively). The bleb was significantly larger at 6 and 12 months (P = 0.024 and P = 0.049, respectively), and reduction of the IOP was more significant for 2 years postoperatively (P = 0.002 to P = 0.032) in tranilast-treated eyes than control eyes. No vision-threatening side reactions were associated with tranilast.

Conclusions: The use of topical tranilast after filtering surgery alleviates ischemia of the filtering bleb, reduces IOP, and increases the size of the bleb.