Surgery, Tissue Plasminogen Activator, Antiangiogenic Agents, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial for Submacular Hemorrhage Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and the safety of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) management using either surgical pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) or pneumatic displacement (PD) with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor added to each arm. DESIGN: Randomized, open-label, multicenter superiority study. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) 50 years of age or older with recent SMH (≤ 14 days) of more than 2 optic disc areas and predominantly overlying the retinal pigment epithelium. METHODS: Patients were assigned randomly to surgery (PPV, subretinal tPA [maximum, 0.5 ml/50 µg], and 20% sulfur hexafluoride [SF6] tamponade) or PD (0.05 ml intravitreal tPA [50 µg] and 0.3 ml intravitreal pure SF6). Both groups were asked to maintain a head upright position with the face forward at 45° for 3 days after intervention and received 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab at the end of the intervention, at months 1 and 2, as the loading phase, and then on a pro re nata regimen during a 6-month follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary efficacy endpoint was mean best-corrected visual acuity (VA) change at month 3. The secondary endpoints were mean VA change at month 6, 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire composite score value at months 3 and 6, number of anti-VEGF injections, and complications during the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 90 patients randomized, 78 patients (86.7%) completed the 3-month efficacy endpoint visit. The mean VA change from baseline to month 3 in the surgery group (+16.8 letters [95% confidence interval (CI), 8.7-24.9 letters]) was not significantly superior to that in the PD group (+16.4 letters [95% CI, 7.1-25.7 letters]; adjusted difference ß, 1.9 [-11.0; 14.9]; P = 0.767). Both groups achieved similar secondary outcomes at month 6. No unexpected ocular safety concerns were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery did not yield superior visual gain nor additional benefit for SMH secondary to nAMD compared with PD at 3 months, with intravitreal anti-VEGF added to each arm. Both treatment strategies lead to a clinical improvement of VA without safety concerns for SMH over 6 months. Both design and results of the trial cannot be used to establish equivalence between treatments. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

VALSALVA RETINOPATHY: Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical presentation and outcomes in patients with Valsalva retinopathy. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of patients diagnosed with Valsalva retinopathy between June 1, 2010, and May 31, 2020. Clinical notes, operative reports, fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography images were reviewed. RESULTS: This study comprised 58 eyes of 58 patients. The most common causes were lifting (34.4%), vomiting (20.6%), straining (20.6%), and coughing (17.2%). Mean best-corrected visual acuity at diagnosis was 20/163. The most frequently involved vitreoretinal compartment was the subhyaloid space (42.3%) followed by the intraretinal (32.7%), intravitreal (23.1%), and subretinal (13.4%) spaces. Mean best-corrected visual acuity of all patients was 20/59 at 3 months, 20/48 at 6 months, and 20/22 at 1 year. Mean time to clearance of hemorrhage on clinical examination was 99.0 ± 18.7 days in patients who underwent observation and 4.5 ± 3.5 days after surgery in patients who received pars plana vitrectomy. CONCLUSION: Valsalva retinopathy is generally associated with a favorable visual prognosis. Most eyes perform well with observation although pars plana vitrectomy may be indicated in patients requiring rapid resolution of hemorrhage.

Displacement of Submacular Hemorrhage With Vitrectomy Combined With Subretinal Balanced Salt Solution and Air.

PURPOSE: To describe a technique of displacement of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) using subretinal injection of balanced salt solution and filtered air. METHODS: Patients presenting within 2 weeks of massive SMH (>4 disk diameter) were prospectively included. All patients underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, posterior vitreous detachment, injection of subretinal balanced salt solution and filtered air followed by partial fluid air exchange, 20% sulfur hexafluoride tamponade, and heads-up positioning postoperatively. Degree of displacement of SMH was assessed at 1 month and change in best-corrected visual acuity was assessed at 3 months. RESULTS: Ten patients with massive SMH who underwent the aforementioned procedure were included. Complete displacement of bleed from the macula was achieved in nine (90%) of 10 eyes at 1 month. There was significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline at 1 month ( P = 0.015) and 3 months ( P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Pars plana vitrectomy with injection of subretinal balanced salt solution and filtered air was well-tolerated and efficacious in displacing large and thick SMH in patients operated within 2 weeks of onset of symptoms.

PREDICTORS OF 3-MONTH AND 1-YEAR VISUAL OUTCOMES AFTER VITRECTOMY WITH SUBRETINAL TISSUE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INJECTION FOR SUBMACULAR HEMORRHAGE.

PURPOSE: To investigate factors associated with 3-month or 1-year best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after vitrectomy with subretinal tissue plasminogen activator injection for submacular hemorrhage (SMH) and to identify the predictors of early displacement. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included consecutive eyes with SMH complicating neovascular age-related macular degeneration or retinal macroaneurysm that underwent vitrectomy with subretinal tissue plasminogen activator injection and were followed up for at least 3 months. Parameters that correlated with 3-month BCVA, 1-year BCVA, and 2-week displacement grade (0-3) were identified. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients (73.1 ± 8.4 years; neovascular age-related macular degeneration, 25 eyes) were included. Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA improved 3 months after the surgery (baseline, 0.76 [20/115] ± 0.35; 3-month, 0.51 [20/65] ± 0.32; P = 0.006). In multivariable analyses, 1-year logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA correlated with age ( P = 0.007, ß = 0.39) and SMH recurrence within 1 year after surgery ( P < 0.001, ß = 0.65). Two-week displacement grade correlated with the contrast-to-noise ratio of SMH ( P = 0.001, ß = -0.54). Macular hole occurred in three eyes (10%) with small SMH size and was closed in all eyes via additional vitrectomy with an inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique. CONCLUSION: The recurrence of SMH negatively affected the 1-year visual outcome after vitrectomy with subretinal tissue plasminogen activator injection for SMH. The contrast-to-noise ratio was a useful predictor of early SMH displacement, but not of 1-year BCVA. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal treatment to prevent SMH recurrence.

IMPACT OF MACULAR INTRARETINAL HEMORRHAGE AND MACULAR HOLE ON THE VISUAL PROGNOSIS OF SUBMACULAR HEMORRHAGE DUE TO RETINAL ARTERIAL MACROANEURYSM RUPTURE.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of macular intraretinal hemorrhage (IRH) and macular hole (MH) on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after displacement of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) due to retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM) rupture. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included 48 eyes with SMH due to RAM rupture. Cases underwent vitrectomy to displace SMH and were followed up for 6 months. We classified cases according to the presence of IRH and MH and compared the postoperative BCVA among the groups. RESULTS: We classified the eyes into IRH(+)MH(+) group (10 eyes), IRH(+)MH(-) group (23 eyes), and IRH(-)MH(-) group (15 eyes). The postoperative BCVA was significantly worse in the IRH(+)MH(+) and IRH(+)MH(-) groups than in the IRH(-)MH(-) group (0.91 ± 0.41 in logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution units, Snellen equivalent 20/163, 0.87 ± 0.45, 20/148, and 0.18 ± 0.21, 20/30, respectively; P < 0.001). The postoperative central retinal thickness was significantly lower in the IRH(+) group (IRH(+)MH(+) and IRH(+)MH(-) groups combined) than in the IRH(-) group (IRH(-)MH(-) group) (121.4 ± 70.1 µ m and 174.3 ± 32.9 µ m, respectively, P = 0.008). The postoperative external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone continuities were significantly discontinuous in the IRH(+) group ( P < 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that both IRH(+)MH(+) and IRH(+)MH(-) were associated with the postoperative BCVA (regression coefficient, 0.799 and 0.711, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: Both IRH and MH were poor prognostic indicators in cases with SMH due to RAM rupture.

Evaluation of a new Q-switched Nd:YAG laser on premacular hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Premacular hemorrhage is among the causes of sudden deterioration of visual acuity. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic outcomes of a new Q-switched Nd:YAG laser on premacular hemorrhage. METHODS: Retrospective, case series study of 16 eyes from 16 patients diagnosed with premacular hemorrhage, including 3 cases of Valsalva retinopathy, 8 cases of retinal macroaneurysm, 3 cases of diabetic retinopathy, 1 case of trauma-related hemorrhage and 1 case with leukemia. A 1064nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was performed to puncture the posterior hyaloid and inner limiting membrane to drain the hemorrhage. RESULTS: The success rate of 16 patients with premacular hemorrhage drainage was 100% in this study. Improved visual acuity was observed in each patient. CONCLUSIONS: In this case series of 16 patients, the new Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was successful in draining premacular hemorrhage with no serious complications.

Hemorrhagic Retinal Detachment Treated by Drainage Sclerotomy Combined with Subretinal and Submacular Tissue Plasminogen Activator.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of a new drainage procedure for treating subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) in hemorrhagic retinal detachment (RD) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). METHODS: Forty-three eyes with hemorrhagic RD attributable to PCV underwent vitrectomy. External drainage via sclerotomy was performed in 25 eyes and internal drainage via retinotomy was performed in 18 eyes, respectively. Based on different surgical techniques, the external drainage group was divided into simple external drainage subgroup (10 eyes), external drainage combined with intravitreal injections of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) subgroup (7 eyes), and external drainage combined with subretinal and/or submacular injections of tPA subgroup (8 eyes). The internal drainage group was divided into small retinotomy subgroup (7 eyes) and large retinotomy subgroup (11 eyes). The anatomic reattachment of the retina and postoperative complications were compared between different groups and subgroups. RESULTS: The external drainage technique had shorter mean operation time, higher retinal reattachment rate, and fewer postoperative complications rate compared to the internal drainage procedure. The subfoveal hemorrhage subsided significantly sooner in the large retinotomy subgroup and external drainage combined with subretinal and/or submacular injections of tPA subgroup compared to the small retinotomy subgroup and the external drainage without tPA group (p < 0.05). The small retinotomy subgroup had higher rates of hemorrhage and elevated IOP compared to other subgroups during the first week of the postoperative period (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that external drainage of SRH combined with subretinal and/or submacular injections of tPA can make the operation simpler, shorten the operation time, reduce the postoperative complications with rapid regression of subfoveal hemorrhage, resulting in an effective and safe therapeutic strategy for treating hemorrhagic RD.

Pars plana vitrectomy and subretinal tissue plasminogen activator for large exudative submacular hemorrhage: a case series.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate anatomical and functional outcomes of patients with large submacular hemorrhage (SMH) who treated by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in combination with subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) injection, intraocular gas tamponade, and with additional post-operative interventions. METHODS: Medical records of 9 patients who presented with large SMH secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and underwent PPV, subretinal TPA injection, and gas tamponade at Chiang Mai university hospital between January 2012 and January 2020 were reviewed. Collected data included preoperative visual acuity (VA), SMH extent and duration, intraoperation and post-operation complications, post-operative anatomical and VA responses, and the need for administer post-operation additional treatments. RESULTS: Overall, five patients were male and four patients were female with a mean (SD) age of 66.9 (7.7) years and a mean (SD) follow-up of 21.1 (16.1) months. A mean (SD) duration of SMH was 15.1 (10.9) days with a mean (SD) extent of SMH was 6.2 (3.4) disc diameters. At 1-month post-operation, complete SMH displacement was noted in eight (88.9%) patients. The mean (SD) VA significantly improved from LogMAR 1.9 (0.4) to 1.1 (0.4), (P = 0.004). During follow-up, eight patients (88.9%) were given additional therapy (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy, photodynamic therapy, or in combination). At final follow-up, a mean (SD) LogMAR VA of 0.9 (0.4) was significantly improved compared to baseline (P = 0.004). For intra- and post-operation complications, none developed intraoperative retinal break and retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy with subretinal TPA injection, intraocular gas tamponade, and additional post-operation treatments provide benefit for anatomical and visual outcomes for patients with large SMH. It may consider as one of effective treatment in this group of patients.

[Modern aspects of the treatment of submacular hemorrhages secondary to macular degeneration]. / Sovremennye aspekty terapii submakulyarnykh krovoizliyanii na fone makulyarnoi degeneratsii.

Age-related macular degeneration complicated by submacular hemorrhage if not treated timely leads to permanent loss of central vision. The basis of effective therapy is its early start, dislocation of blood from central parts of the retina and blockage of neovascularization. This review examines the current methods of treatment of submacular hemorrhages, anatomical and functional outcomes, risks of postoperative complications, as well as trends in the use of combined methods of surgical intervention.

Bilateral and multiple sub-internal limiting membrane hemorrhages in a familial retinal arteriolar tortuosity patient by Valsalva-like mechanism: an observational case report.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral and multiple Valsalva-related sub-internal limiting membrane (ILM) hemorrhages in a familial retinal arteriolar tortuosity (FRAT) patient is rare, and we treated this patient by both observation and Neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser membranotomy methods. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old female student presented with sudden visual loss and central scotoma in both eyes after running 800 m at the school gym. The examination revealed six sub-ILM hemorrhages with the biggest hemorrhage measuring approximately 1.5-disc diameters (DD) in the right eye and two sub-ILM hemorrhages with the biggest one measuring 5.5 DD in the left eye. The patient was diagnosed as having Valsalva retinopathy associated with FRAT. Nd: YAG laser membranotomy was performed at the biggest hemorrhages and the rest hemorrhages were treated with observation in both eyes. The visual acuity recovered to 20/16 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation was observed in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: Nd: YAG laser could be considered for treating premacular hemorrhage in FRAT patient especially when a quick vision recovery was needed. This is the first reported case of a FRAT patient suffering from bilateral and multiple Valsalva-related sub-ILM hemorrhages which were treated by both observation and Nd: YAG laser treatment.

Histopathological Changes and Clinical Outcomes following Intervention for Sub-Internal Limiting Membrane Haemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Haemorrhage confined to the sub-internal limiting membrane (ILM) space can be associated with good visual recovery. There is controversy as to the best management of purely sub-ILM haemorrhage, which ranges from observation to immediate surgical intervention. METHODS: We studied a retrospective case series of patients with sub-ILM haemorrhage who underwent vitrectomy with subsequent histological analysis of the removed ILM. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent vitrectomy for sub-ILM haemorrhage. Five patients had underlying Terson syndrome, 6 had ruptured macro-aneurysms, and 5 had Valsalva retinopathy. Seven patients demonstrated cellular proliferation on the retinal surface of the ILM with staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein and cytokeratin 7, as well as CD68pg and Prussian blue. All but 1 of these cases were isolated from patients undergoing surgery >4 weeks following initial symptoms, the other presented at >2 weeks. Serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) was available in 8 patients; serial OCT in patients with delayed intervention demonstrated persistent inner retinal layer hyper-reflectance. Fourteen of 15 patients demonstrated symptomatic recovery and showed visual improvement with acuity ranging from -0.1 to 1.8 (mean 0.43) within 3 months of intervention (1 was lost to follow-up). The post-operative vision was 0.11 logMAR (mean; range -0.1 to 0.4) at 3 months in the group with intervention within 2 weeks of symptoms, and 0.9 logMAR (mean; range 0.0 to HM) in the group with delayed surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical intervention for sub-ILM haemorrhage resulted in good visual outcomes; delayed surgery may lead to proliferative vitreoretinopathy-like changes on the inner retinal surface of the ILM, and untreated cases may demonstrate persistent inner retinal changes potentially limiting visual prognosis despite subsequent surgical intervention.

Sub-hyaloid and sub-internal limiting membrane macular hemorrhage after laser exposure at music festival: a case report.

PURPOSE: To describe the first case of a combined sub-hyaloid and sub-internal limiting membrane macular hemorrhage after recreational laser exposure. METHODS: A 23-year-old patient presented with an acute loss of vision in his right eye (OD) immediately after a brief exposure to a laser beam at a music festival. Color photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) were performed for diagnosis and follow-up. RESULTS: On presentation, visual acuity was 20/400 in the OD and 20/20 in the left eye. Posterior segment examination of his OD revealed a preretinal hemorrhage at the macula. SD-OCT images exposed a combined sub-hyaloid and sub-internal limiting membrane localization. Successful VPP with ILM peeling was carried out. Although sequential mfERG displayed almost complete restoration of the P1 amplitude 6 months posterior to VPP, SD-OCT demonstrated permanent damage to outer retinal layers. Final BCVA on OD was 20/30. CONCLUSION: The expanding and unregulated use of lasers in everyday life has created an increasing amount of cases of laser-induced retinopathy in recent years. Much more attention should be addressed in laser safety and awareness to prevent future ocular injuries. In acute phases of sub-hyaloid hemorrhages blocking direct visualization of the posterior pole, mfERG is a valuable tool to address initial macular pathology.

SUBRETINAL ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY TO TREAT LARGE SUBRETINAL HEMORRHAGES SECONDARY TO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of subretinal endoscopic surgery as a novel treatment for large subretinal hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Five patients with large subretinal hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration underwent subretinal endoscopic surgery, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. RESULTS: The large subretinal hemorrhage was completely removed by subretinal endoscopic surgery without a large retinotomy in all cases. The fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment including choroidal neovascularization was completely removed in four cases. In three of these cases, the bleeding was confirmed to be originating from one point of rupture in the Bruch membrane, which was treated by coagulation using intraocular diathermy. Although visual acuity improved in three cases, it deteriorated and remained stable in one case each. Fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment persisted in one patient after surgery; he needed anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, whereas the other four did not because their fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment was removed. At the final follow-up, no severe postoperative complications, such as retinal detachment or proliferative vitreoretinopathy, were noted. CONCLUSION: Subretinal endoscopic surgery can completely remove subretinal hemorrhage and fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment including choroidal neovascularization without a large retinotomy. It also aids in the direct and detailed confirmation of subretinal lesions by ophthalmic endoscope.

VITRECTOMY WITH SUBRETINAL TISSUE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR AND GAS TAMPONADE FOR SUBFOVEAL HEMORRHAGE: Prognostic Factors and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To study the prognostic factors and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy, subretinal injection of tissue plasminogen activator, and gas tamponade for the treatment of subfoveal hemorrhage (SFH). METHODS: A retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. RESULTS: Seventy-eight eyes from 77 patients were included. A total of 84.6% of eyes developed SFH from age-related macular degeneration. Partial or complete displacement of the SFH was achieved in 91.5% of eyes within 2 months of surgery. Visual acuity improved from 20/1,449 preoperatively to 20/390 after a mean follow-up time of 6.3 months, corresponding to approximately 5 lines of Snellen acuity improvement (P < 0.001). Better visual acuity was associated with the absence of age-related macular degeneration (P = 0.02) and less hemorrhage superior to the fovea (P < 0.001). Final visual acuity was not associated with the area of SFH (P = 0.17), use of anticoagulants (P = 0.14), or visibility of the ellipsoid layer by optical coherence tomography (P = 0.64). Nine patients (11.5%) developed a recurrence of SFH within the follow-up period. Recurrence of SFH was not associated with concurrent anticoagulant therapy (P = 0.52). CONCLUSION: An etiology other than age-related macular degeneration with less hemorrhage superior to the fovea predicts a better outcome in patients with SFH treated with pars plana vitrectomy, subretinal tissue plasminogen activator, and gas tamponade.

Sub-inner limiting membrane hemorrhage in a patient with Terson syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral Terson Syndrome with sub inner limiting membrane hemorrhage associated with a rare finding: perimacular fold. METHODS: The patient, a 34 years old female with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and bilateral Terson syndrome was admitted to the Ophthalmology department, complaining of blurred vision. Core vitrectomy, hyaloid detachment, peeling of the ILM and aspiration of the sub inner limiting membrane hemorrhage was performed. Once the inner limiting membrane of the left eye was peeled off, we noticed a particular aspect: the perimacular fold. RESULT: Although our patient suffered from a massive vitreous haemorrhage the postoperative outcome was favorable with a final best corrected visual acuity of 20/30. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with billateral Terson syndrome we recommend early surgery, especially if the neurological status allows it, a good visual acuity being helpful for the neurophysical rehabilitation of the patient.

Massive subretinal and subretinal pigment epithelial hemorrhage displacement with perfluorocarbon liquid using a two-step vitrectomy technique.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and visual outcome of massive submacular hemorrhage (SMH) displacement with a planned two-step pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) tamponade. METHODS: A retrospective case series of patients with age related macular degeneration and SMH was used. All patients underwent a 23G PPV, subretinal tPA injection and a medium term PFCL tamponade. A second stage PPV for PFCL removal was performed 7-17 days later. The main outcome was the change in macular and sub-RPE thickness after 6 months. Secondary outcomes were visual acuity and complications. RESULTS: Seven patients (seven eyes) with mean age of 79.85 years were enrolled. The average SMH size was 17.5 disc area (range 4.5-33) with mean symptoms of a duration of 9.5 days (range: 2-21). SMH was successfully displaced in six eyes. Mean macular and sub-RPE thickness decreased from 1505µ to 711.3µ and 900 µ to 457µ, respectively. Visual acuity (VA) remained stable in five eyes. Complications included corneal edema and transient intraocular pressure elevation in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: SMH displacement using subretinal tPA injection and medium term PFCL tamponade is an effective alternative treatment option. In our experience, it can be safely performed, avoiding complications commonly attributed to other techniques.

Angiographic features and disease outcomes of symptomatic retinal arterial macroaneurysms.

PURPOSE: Symptomatic retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAM) are primarily investigated by fundus fluorescein angiography after presenting with visual disturbance. The natural history includes spontaneous regression and occasionally occlusion of the arteriole distal to the aneurysm. RAM may be managed conservatively. Interventional treatment options include focal argon laser photocoagulation, Nd:YAG laser hyaloidotomy, and pars plana vitrectomy. The purpose of this study was to elicit the rates of distal vessel occlusion and aneurysm thrombosis in RAM at presentation, and their relevance to the treatment of RAM. Furthermore, visual outcomes were examined. METHODS: Retrospective review of cases of RAM presenting to a tertiary ophthalmology care centre was accomplished in a university teaching hospital. The angiographic features, treatment indications, and visual outcomes in patients with RAM were recorded. Angiographic features noted were distal vessel patency and aneurysm thrombosis at presentation. RESULTS: Ten patients with RAM were identified. Ninety percent had an angiographically patent distal arteriole, with 40 % showing spontaneous thrombosis of the aneurysm sac at presentation. Patients presenting with a spontaneously thrombosed RAM were managed conservatively, those with flow within the aneurysm wall were treated with focal laser, and those with subhyaloid haemorrhage underwent Nd:YAG laser hyaloidotomy. LogMAR visual acuity improved from 0.3 (±0) at presentation to 0.15 (±0.1) in the conservative group, and from 0.78 (±0.23) to 0.24 (±0.18) in those who underwent one intervention. One patient lost vision after multiple RAM. CONCLUSION: Thrombosis within the aneurysm wall is an important feature in deciding to treat RAM, and selective use of interventions improves vision in affected patients.

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF ADVANCED FAMILIAL EXUDATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY WITH COMPLICATIONS.

PURPOSE: To report the management of complicated advanced familial exudative vitreoretinopathy in a predominantly young population. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on 34 eyes of 25 patients with severe complications of advanced familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, including retinal detachment, corneal opacity, shallow or flat anterior chamber, cataract, posterior pupillary adhesion, secondary glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, and preretinal hemorrhage. Preoperative and postoperative clinical information was reviewed. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 3.52 ± 5.94 years. Of the 34 eyes, 22 underwent lensectomy, 9 underwent lensectomy combined with vitrectomy, 2 underwent staged lensectomy and vitrectomy, and 1 underwent lens-sparing vitrectomy. After surgery, the shallow or flat anterior chamber became normal in 26/28 eyes; corneal opacity disappeared or improved in 10/22 eyes; and secondary glaucoma was controlled in 22/24 eyes. Among the 12 eyes operated by vitrectomy, the retina was attached in 5 eyes and partly attached in 7. Final visual acuity ranged from no light perception to 30/200 (n = 17). All 5 eyes with preoperative and postoperative visual acuity records showed improvement. CONCLUSION: Surgical intervention is recommended to resolve complications of advanced familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and to preserve visual function. Staged lensectomy and vitrectomy is an alternative for advanced familial exudative vitreoretinopathy with corneal complications and/or vascularly active fibrovascular proliferation.