Simmons' tamponade shell for leaking filtration blebs.

We used the Simmons' tamponade shell to successfully treat four of five patients who had leaking filtration blebs after glaucoma surgery. Bleb leaks in both the immediate postoperative period as well as many years following surgery were treated. In each case, previous pressure patching had been unsuccessful. Permanent closure of the leaks with the shell tamponade occurred within three days. Use of this technique is an effective alternative to surgical repair.