We report an unusual case of granulomatous inflammation that presented adjacent to bleb 3 weeks postoperatively after combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy surgery with mitomycin‑C due to retained microfragments of methyl cellulose sponge. The commonly used antimetabolite delivery devices are made of cellulose. Methyl cellulose sponges are friable, and they are likely to leave behind microfragments in subconjunctival space. In our case, bleb integrity was maintained, unlike the earlier reported cases which presented with bleb leak. Hence, one should have high index of suspicion in unusual cases of postoperative inflammation not resolving conservatively. Although rare, retained sponge particles can be a cause of early bleb‑related inflammation which can lead to bleb failure.

We report an unusual case of granulomatous inflammation that presented adjacent to bleb 3 weeks postoperatively after combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy surgery with mitomycin‑C due to retained microfragments of methyl cellulose sponge. The commonly used antimetabolite delivery devic...