Delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage after needle revision of trabeculectomy bleb in a patient with hairy cell leukemia

PURPOSE: To report a rare complication, delayed supra, choroidal hemorrhage, of needle revision of a nonfunctioning trabeculectomy bleb in a patient with previously undetected hairy cell leukemia. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: An 89,year-old man presented with massive delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage after needle revision of a trabeculectomy bleb. RESULTS: Routine investigations before choriodal drains age showed a low platelet count. Anterior chamber washout and choroidal drainage were done after intravenous platelet infusions. Subsequently, the diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia was made by the hematologist. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage is a rare but devastating complication of needle revision of trabeculectomy blebs and should be borne in mind while performing this seemingly trivial outpatient procedure. (C) 2003 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.