Early Retinal Hemorrhage Absorption Rate and Long Term Clinical Outcomes in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose@#We report the relationship between early retinal hemorrhage absorption rate (RHAR) and long-term clinical outcomes associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). @*Methods@#This retrospective study included 66 eyes with BRVO. We used a grid as a quantitative measurement unit for measuring the amount of hemorrhage, and calculated the RHAR by measuring variance between sums of the grids. We investigated the relationship of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and other long term clinical outcomes with RHAR. @*Results@#The RHAR in BRVO patients measured 16.46 ± 21.48 ∑grid/time (month). Improvement of BCVA (logMAR) was 0.28 ± 0.28 at 12 months, showing statistical significance with the RHAR (p < 0.01). We divided RHAR into two groups by 7.5 ∑ grid/month; slow and fast RHAR groups. Improvement of BCVA (logMAR) was 0.16 ± 0.23 in the slow RHAR group, and 0.38 ± 0.28 in the fast RHAR group, with statistical significance (p = 0.01). Regression of CFT was 133.12 ± 142.93 μm in the slow RHAR group, and 236.62 ± 131.55 μm in the fast RHAR group, with statistical significance (p < 0.01). @*Conclusions@#RHAR may be a prognostic factor during follow-up in BRVO patients.

Early Retinal Hemorrhage Absorption Rate and Long Term Clinical Outcomes in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose@#We report the relationship between early retinal hemorrhage absorption rate (RHAR) and long-term clinical outcomes associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). @*Methods@#This retrospective study included 66 eyes with BRVO. We used a grid as a quantitative measurement unit for measuring the amount of hemorrhage, and calculated the RHAR by measuring variance between sums of the grids. We investigated the relationship of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and other long term clinical outcomes with RHAR. @*Results@#The RHAR in BRVO patients measured 16.46 ± 21.48 ∑grid/time (month). Improvement of BCVA (logMAR) was 0.28 ± 0.28 at 12 months, showing statistical significance with the RHAR (p < 0.01). We divided RHAR into two groups by 7.5 ∑ grid/month; slow and fast RHAR groups. Improvement of BCVA (logMAR) was 0.16 ± 0.23 in the slow RHAR group, and 0.38 ± 0.28 in the fast RHAR group, with statistical significance (p = 0.01). Regression of CFT was 133.12 ± 142.93 μm in the slow RHAR group, and 236.62 ± 131.55 μm in the fast RHAR group, with statistical significance (p < 0.01). @*Conclusions@#RHAR may be a prognostic factor during follow-up in BRVO patients.

Two Cases of Uveo-meningeal Syndrome

PURPOSE: We report two cases of uveo-meningeal syndrome involving the retina, uvea, and optic disc in both eyes after viral meningitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 16-year-old female was referred to our department with blurred vision in both eyes. She was hospitalized in the pediatric ward with viral meningitis. She showed a norma best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and normal intraocular pressure in both eyes, but had severe inflammation in the anterior chamber on slit lamp examination, and optic disc edema and multiple whitish lesions on fundus examination. She was treated with intravenous antibiotic injections and steroid eye drops. After close observation, inflammation in the anterior chamber, optic disc edema, and the multiple whitish lesions in the retina were improved. A 27-year-old male who was treated for viral meningitis at the neurology department was referred to us with blurred vision in both eyes. His BCVAs were 0.7 (right eye) and 0.6 (left eye). The intraocular pressure was normal in both eyes. Slit lamp examination revealed inflammation in the anterior chamber and optic disc edema, and a fundus examination revealed multiple infiltrations. He received treatment for presumed herpes virus infection. After close observation, inflammation in the anterior chamber, optic disc edema, and multiple infiltrations with hemorrhage in the retina were improved. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should consider the possibility of uveo-meningeal syndrome, which can cause inflammation in the uvea,retina, and optic disc simultaneous with viral meningitis accompanying blurred vision.

Papilledema with Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

PURPOSE: We report two patients diagnosed with a sinus thrombosis with papillary edema. CASE SUMMARY: Case 1 was a 27-year-old male who presented with complaints of headache and vomiting for 2 months and blurred vision in both eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.0 in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. A visual field (VF) examination revealed a binocular peripheral VF defect and optical coherence tomography (OCT) and a fundus examination indicated optic disc swelling in both eyes. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no specific finding but magnetic resonance venography revealed filling defect signs in the transverse sinus and a cerebrospinal fluid examination indicated elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Case 2 was a 54-year-old female who came to our hospital with suspicion of bilateral optic disc swelling. The BCVA was 0.9 in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. A VF examination revealed an inferior-temporal VF defect and blind spot enlargement in the right eye. OCT and a fundus examination showed optic disc swelling in both eyes. Brain MRI showed no specific finding but magnetic resonance venography revealed a decrease in blood flow in the transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus. A cerebrospinal fluid examination indicated elevated ICP. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of optic disc swelling in both eyes, a secondary cause of ICP elevation and the possibility of optic disc swelling due to sinus thrombosis should be considered, and brain MRI and venography are needed to distinguish these possibilities.

The Function of the Fellow Eye in Patients with Unilateral Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the function of the fellow eye in patients with unilateral nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS: From 2009 to March 2018, 18 patients with NAION who underwent bilateral visual field examinations and follow-up visits at least two times were enrolled in this study. Initial visual acuity, final visual acuity, degree of visual field defects, the cup-disc (C/D) ratio of the fellow eye, and the presence or absence of cardiovascular disease was retrospectively analyzed using medical records. RESULTS: The fellow eye mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.03 ± 0.53 (logMAR) and the mean visual field defect was −4.68 ± 3.65 dB in 18 eyes of patients with unilateral NAION (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). The C/D ratios were divided into two groups: > 0.3 and < 0.3. The visual field defect was improved significantly from −4.92 dB to −2.37 dB in the group with optic disc ratios < 0.3 (p = 0.013). When the changes in visual field defects were analyzed according to the presence or absence of cardiovascular disease, the visual field defects were improved from −5.65 dB to −4.49 dB in patients with cardiovascular disease, and improved from −3.69 dB to −1.46 dB in patients without cardiovascular disease (p = 0.025 and p = 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with unilateral NAION, reduced function in the fellow eye may appear temporarily, so a visual field examination should be performed in both eyes. The possibility of incipient NAION should be considered in patients with visual field abnormalities in the fellow eye.

Therapeutic Effect of Steroids in Patients with Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of steroid treatment (intravenous injection, oral) in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS: From January, 2005 to December, 2016, 41 patients who were diagnosed with NAION and observed for more than 6 months were included in this study. The treatment was decided based on patient's choice after explaining the advantages and disadvantages of steroid therapy. The patients were divided into three groups (intravenous steroid injection, oral steroid, no treatment). Initial visual acuity, final visual acuity, degree of visual field defect, fluorescein angiography, visual evoked potential and brain magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed by chart review. RESULTS: The chief complaints of the 41 NAION patients at the first visit were decreased visual acuity (n = 24), visual field defect (n = 10), no symptoms (n = 4), diplopia (n = 2), and floaters (n = 1). The distribution of the patients according to steroid administration method was 15 patients with intravenous steroid injection, 14 patients with oral steroid and 12 patients with no treatment. The improvement in visual acuity was greatest in intravenous steroid injection (87%), oral steroid (43%) and no treatment (33%) in that order. CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective comparison of treatment effects after explaining the advantages and disadvantages of steroid therapy in patients with NAION, the intravenous steroid injection group showed 87% improvement in visual acuity and an odds ratio of 5.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–28.88, p-value 0.04), while the oral steroid group showed 43% improvement and an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI 0.30–7.43, p-value 0.62). The steroid treatment group showed better visual acuity improvement than the no treatment group, and the intravenous steroid injection group showed 5.5 times greater improvement in visual acuity compared to the no treatment group.

Comparison of Exodrift between Natural Group and Postoperative Group in Intermittent Exotropia Patients

PURPOSE: To compare the exodrift between unilateral lateral rectus (ULR) recession and observation groups in moderate angle intermittent exotropia (IXT). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 769 patients who were diagnosed with IXT from 2005 to 2015. Seventy-six patients were enrolled in this study that presented with IXT of 20 to 25 prism diopters (PD) on their first visit and were observed for more than 6 months without or after operation. The observation group (group 1) was composed of 29 patients who had regular examination without operation. The surgery group (group 2) was composed of 47 patients with ULR recession that were observed for deviation changes since surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 71.8 ± 22.0 months at first visit in group 1 and 91.1 ± 18.9 months before surgery in group 2 (p < 0.01). The distant exodeviation was 22.9 ± 2.5 PD at first visit in group 1 and 22.9 ± 2.4 PD before surgery in group 2 (p = 0.89). During follow-up, mean exodrift was 0.6 ± 9.0 PD in group 1 and 10.0 ± 7.4 PD in group 2 (p < 0.01). Exodrift up to postoperative 6 months in group 2 was 3.2 ± 4.0 PD and exodrift from postoperative 6 months to 2 years in group 2 was 7.1 ± 6.9 PD. More exodrift was noticed after post-operative 6 months (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the exodrift between the groups in moderate angle IXT, patients in the observation group showed less exodrift. Patients who had a ULR recession presented more exodrift after postoperative 6 months. Even though they were orthotropic at postoperative 6 months when the operation was thought to be stabilized, an increase in exodrift after postoperative 6 months could not be excluded.

A Case of Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Accompanied by Carotid Artery Plaque

PURPOSE: To report a case of posterior ischemic optic neuropathy accompanied by carotid artery plaque in a patient with retrobulbar optic neuritis. CASE SUMMARY: A 48-year-old man visited our clinic complaining of headache, decreasing visual acuity and defect of inferior visual field in his left eye for 3 days. The best corrected visual acuity was 1.0 in the right eye and 0.1 in the left eye. The anterior segment state, intraocular pressure, fundus examination and optical coherence tomography were normal in both eyes. Relative afferent pupillary defect, color vision deficiency and total scotoma were observed in his left eye. The results of the laboratory test and brain magnetic resonance imaging were normal. He was discharged from the hospital after 3 days of systemic steroid treatment on the basis of retrobulbar optic neuritis. A week later, fluorescent angiography and carotid ultrasonography were performed because of his history memory loss and left upper limb weakness before admission. A focal filling defect of the peripapillary area was found on fluorescent angiography. A plaque with a thickness of 1.9 mm and a length of 1.4 cm was found on carotid ultrasonography. After 6 months, the best corrected visual acuity was 0.4 in the left eye and the visual field showed a partially improved defect. CONCLUSIONS: Fluorescent angiography is recommended for potential posterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients with retrobulbar optic neuritis, even though it is rare. Carotid ultrasonography is useful in finding atherosclerosis to prevent stroke or cardiovascular disease if ischemic cause is suspected on fluorescent angiography.

Correlation between Visual Acuity and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Optic Neuropathies

PURPOSE: To assess the correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT, Cirrus HD-OCT®) and visual acuity in optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy and traumatic optic neuropathy. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were recruited. RNFL thickness and visual acuity in optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy and traumatic optic neuropathy were measured at least 6 months after the event. The correlation between log MAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and retinal nerve fiber thickness in each quadrant was analyzed. RESULTS: log MAR BCVA and RNFL thickness of each quadrant in optic neuropathy exhibited a statistically significant correlation. In optic neuritis, RNFL thickness of the superior quadrant was significantly thicker than in ischemic optic neuropathy and traumatic optic neuropathy (p = 0.009, 0.003). In addition, RNFL thickness of the inferior quadrant in optic neuritis was significantly thicker than in traumatic optic neuropathy (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant correlation between log MAR BCVA and RNFL thickness by OCT in patients with optic neuropathies. The RNFL thickness may predict visual acuity after an optic neuropathy attack and help to differentiate malingering patients with impaired vision loss.

A Case of Meningioma Masquerading as Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

PURPOSE: We report a case of meningioma diagnosed as ischemic optic neuropathy. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old women presented with decreased visual acuity in her left eye without eye movement pain. Her best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in that eye was 0.3. She showed a relative afferent pupillary defect, abnormal color vision test, and inferior visual field defect in her left eye. The optic disc showed slight blurring superiorly and pallor temporally. Fluorescein angiography showed choroidal filling defect, and ischemic optic neuropathy was suspected. The carotid artery sonography showed normal results. The BCVA of the left eye was 0.5 after 7 months. The visual field test and color vision test were improved after 7 months. The optic disc was pale. The magnetic resonance imaging was performed because of persistent headache, and that showed a suprasellar mass that was removed by surgical resection and diagnosed as meningioma on biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The possibility of compressive optic neuropathy should be considered in presumed ischemic optic neuropathy if the patient complains of persistent headache.

Contralateral Inferior Oblique Muscle Overaction after Unilateral Inferior Oblique Weakening Procedures

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of unilateral inferior oblique weakening procedures on contralateral inferior oblique muscle functions and factors that may have an effect on contralateral inferior oblique muscle overaction (IOOA). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of medical records of 40 patients who underwent unilateral inferior oblique (IO) muscle weakening procedures from 2007 to 2011 and were observed during a follow-up period of more than 6 months. These patients were composed of primary IOOA (4 patients), secondary IOOA due to superior oblique muscle (SO) palsy (21 patients), secondary IOOA due to inferior rectus muscle palsy (1 patient), and dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) accompanied with IOOA (14 patients). Factors that may have an effect on contralateral IOOA after undergoing the operation were assessed. RESULTS: There were 7 patients (17.5%) who had over +2 IOOA after operation. IOOA on contralateral eye was increased from average of +0.00 to average of +0.66 +/- 0.14 in 6 months after operation (p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between preoperative factors and functional changes in contralateral IO muscle. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistical factors that may have an effect on contralateral IOOA but the possibility of masked SO palsy before performing unilateral IO weakening procedures should be considered. In patients who have unilateral DVD associated with IOOA or small hypertropia, the contralateral IOOA can be more definite after operation; thus caution should be taken before operation.

Analysis of Visual Field Defect in Patient with Brain Lesion

PURPOSE: In this study we analyzed the results of visual field tests in patients diagnosed with a brain lesion in an ophthalmology clinic. METHODS: The medical records of 55 patients who underwent visual field examinations and diagnosed with brain pathology using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2014 were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: Of the 55 patients (M:F = 30:25), 31 displayed symmetrical hemianopsia, a typical visual field defect associated with brain lesions. Twenty-four patients showed atypical visual field defect (20 showed normal visual field despite the brain lesion, 3 had bilateral narrowing of the peripheral visual field in 2 cerebral infarctions and 1 multiple sclerosis, and 1 had horizontal inferior visual field defect in 1 eye from nasopharyngeal cancer). CONCLUSIONS: Patients having a brain lesion with the optic tract invasion may present with atypical visual field defects. The peripheral visual field constriction and horizontal inferior visual field defect in 1 eye could be the visual field defect in patients with a brain lesion.

Quantitative Measurement of the Sella Turcica in Pseudotumor Cerebri

PURPOSE: In this study we evaluated the hypothesis that sella turcica enlarged in size due to increased intracranial hypertension by measuring the sella turcica area using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with increased intracranial hypertension and compared to normal controls. METHODS: Brain magnetic resonance (MR) midsagittal images of patients diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri from 2005 to 2012 at Dankook University Hospital and 10 normal controls who had no overt signs or symptoms of neurological disease and had normal gadolinium-enhanced MR examination of brain were compared. The area of the sella turcica was measured by the double-blind method using Dicomworks v 1.3.5b (Philippe Puech and Loic Boussel, Freeware, France). Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism (GraphPad Software, Inc., USA) and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: The sella turcica areas of 2 pseudotumor cerebri patients were 93 mm2 and 123 mm2 and were significantly larger than in the controls (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Empty sella which commonly occurs in pseudotumor cerebri can be caused by pituitary gland atrophy but, conversely, can result from the enlargement of the bony sella in response to an abnormal cerebrospinal fluid pressure gradient.

A Case of Conjunctival Mass with Infectious Mononucleosis by EBV

PURPOSE: To report a case of conjunctival mass with infectious mononucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) confirmed with Epstein-Barr encoding region (EBER) in situ hybridization. CASE SUMMARY: A 8 year-old male without underlying disease was referred with counjunctival mass on the right eye starting 3 days ago. In ophthalmologic evaluation, there was injected, nontender, and "salmon patch" appearance conjunctival lesion on right superior bulbar conjunctiva. The patient was admitted to pediatrics with sore throat and fever. The tonsil were enlarged and white blood cell count was 14960/uL. EBV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and Viral capsid antigen Immunoglobulin M (VAC IgM) test were positive, the diagnose of infectious mononucleosis by EBV was made. After 5 days steroid eyedrop therapy, biopsy was performed because the lesion was not improved. There were lymphocyte infiltration, chronic inflammation and positive in EBER in situ hybridization. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated and pinkish lesion on conjunctiva, EBV lesion should be considered as differential diagnosis.

Short-Term Clinical Outcomes of Laser Trabeculoplasty Using a 577-nm Wavelength Laser

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pressure-lowering effects of single-spot laser trabeculoplasty and patterned laser trabeculoplasty using a 577-nm wavelength laser. METHODS: A total 35 eyes of 35 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were enrolled in this study. Eighteen eyes of 18 patients were treated with 360degrees single-spot laser trabeculoplasty and 17 eyes of 17 patients were treated with 360degrees patterned laser trabeculoplasty. All patients were evaluated after laser trabeculoplasty at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months using slit lamp examination and Goldmann applanation tonometry. RESULTS: At 6 months postoperatively, the single-spot laser trabeculoplasty group had a mean IOP of 15.89 +/- 3.89 mm Hg with a mean IOP reduction of 37.1%, while the patterned laser trabeculoplasty group had a mean IOP of 17.57 +/- 2.64 mm Hg with a mean IOP reduction of 27.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Laser trabeculoplasty with a 577-nm optically pumped semiconductor laser was safe and demonstrated an IOP lowering effect. There were no significant differences in the IOP lowering effects between the single-spot laser trabeculoplasty and the patterned laser trabeculoplasty.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Optic Disc Parameters in Dominant Compared with Non-Dominant Eyes

PURPOSE: To investigate the comparison of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and optic disc parameters measured by optical coherence tomography (Cirrus HD-OCT(R)) in dominant and non-dominant eyes. METHODS: Seventy-one subjects without underlying ocular disease were recruited for the present study. Ocular dominance was determined using the hole-in-the-card test. Comprehensive standardized eye examinations were performed. Scans of the optic disc and RNFL were performed using OCT. RESULTS: The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) of the dominant eye was higher than its counterpart (p = 0.025). No significant differences were observed in uncorrected visual acuity, refractive error and axial length between dominant and non-dominant eyes (p = 0.235, 0.180, 0.850). No RNFL and optic disc features were identified in the dominant from non-dominant eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Although dominant eyes tended to have higher IOP than non-dominant eyes, no consistent ocular structural differences between dominant and non-dominant eyes with the use of OCT were found.

A Statistical Observation of Non-Penetrating Ocular Injuries

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical and social characteristics of non-penetrating ocular injuries and use the results for treatment and prevention. METHODS: A retrospective survey was performed on 468 eyes of 421 patients, who visited our clinic due to non-penetrating ocular injuries from January 2010 to December 2010. The incidence of ocular injuries, sex, age, monthly and seasonal distribution, side, cause, influence of alcohol, and change in visual acuity were reviewed statistically. RESULTS: The incidence of non-penetrating ocular injuries was 4.9%. The incidence was more common in males (82.9%), in the 3rd decade of life (23.5%) and in summer (30.8%). Minor injuries (36.1%) were the most common caused by scratches, finger pricks, nails, or small foreign bodies. The second common cause was violence (16.4%), followed by traffic accidents (14.7%). The injuries related to alcohol represented 12.6% of all cases. When considering initial diagnoses, periorbital contusion and corneal abrasion were the most common. The initial visual acuity was less than 20/200 in 9.4% of the eyes and the final acuity after a 6-months of treatment was less than 20/200 in 3.0% of the eyes. CONCLUSIONS: This survey gathered the clinical and social characteristics as well as new insights into non-penetrating ocular injuries which can be used for treatment and prevention.

Spontaneous Reattachment of Descemet's Membrane Detachment at Postoperative Two Months, Which Occurred During Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To report a case of spontaneously reattached Descemet's membrane detachment, which first occurred during the cataract surgery, and still remained after injection of 100% air into the chamber. CASE SUMMARY: A 78-year-old woman came to the clinic with decreased visual acuity. She had a brunescent cataract and underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with a posterior chamber lens implantation. During the irrigation and aspiration procedure, the Descemet's membrane was torn and detached. An anterior chamber injection of 100% air was performed prior to the conclusion of surgery. Descemet's membrane detachment remained at the center of the cornea and was naturally reattached without any surgical procedure. At 2 months after the surgery, a well-reattached Descemet's membrane and a clear central cornea were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Descemet's membrane detachment is a rare but potentially serious complication of intraocular surgery. The authors report a case of naturally reattached Descemet's membrane detachment which remained after injection of 100% air into the chamber.

A Case of Corneal Perforation and IOL Prolapsed in Serratia Marcescens Endophthalmitis after Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To report a case of Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis following phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old male with a history of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease was referred with right ocular pain and reduced vision 1 day after cataract surgery. On admission, hypopyon on anterior chamber by slit lamp examination and anterior vitreous was hazy according to ultrasonography. We immediately performed intravitreal antibiotics injection and microbiological analysis of anterior chamber and vitreous samples was performed. On day 3, persistent cornea stormal infiltration and cornea perforation were visible and the organism was identified as S. marcescens. Despite appropriate antibiotic treatment the eye continued to deteriorate. CONCLUSIONS: S. marcescens endophthalmitis was diagnosed and treated immediately, but rapid progression and outcome were unsatisfactory.

Macular Hole after Single Intravitreal Injection of Ranibizumab in a Patient with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE: To report a case of a full-thickness macular hole after a single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in a patient with choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old woman presented to our department with gradually decreasing vision in her right eye. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured as 0.7 in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. Examination of the macula showed a choroidal neovascularization associated with subretinal hemorrhage in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed incomplete posterior vitreous detachment, subretinal hemorrhage and serous elevation. The patient subsequently received an intravitreal ranibizumab injection. After 1 month, the best corrected visual acuity in the right eye was decreased to 0.4, and fundus examination revealed posterior vitreous detachment and a macular hole. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and fluid-air exchange, SF6 gas injection, phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Three months later, the macular hole had closed completely and best visual acuity was 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: Although the occurrence of a full-thickness macular hole after intravitreal ranibizumab injection is uncommon, physicians should be well acquainted with this complication.