Vitrectomy with subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (r-TPA) and intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) for submacular hemorrhages treatment: Retrospective analysis of 22 cases.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Macular hemorrhages are a severe complication of other retinal pathologies, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or macroaneurysms. Their therapeutic approach is not standardized, and can vary from observation to surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 22 cases of macular hemorrhage, treated with vitrectomy associated to subretinal rTPA and intravitreal anti-VEGF over a period of 5 years. RESULTS: 22 eyes of 22 patients were included, of which 12 (52%) were women. The mean age at diagnosis was 84.4 years. 13 patients were pseudophakic (54.1%) and 19 (86.36%) had previous ophthalmological comorbidities. The etiology of the macular hemorrhage was AMD in 19 patients (86.36%). The mean of best VA corrected at diagnosis was 24.55 (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study score -ETDRS), with a statistically significant improvement to 36.78 3 months after surgery (p = 0.011). With an average of 23.5 months of follow-up, no differences in prognosis associated with the etiology or size of the hemorrhage were observed. CONCLUSION: The treatment of macular hemorrhages by vitrectomy, subretinal rTPA and antiVEGF improves the visual prognosis of affected patients.