Treatment for subretinal hemorrhage in the macula: pneumatic displacement of hemorrhages

Submacular hemorrhage in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: A synthesis of the literature

Large submacular hemorrhage, an uncommon manifestation of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, may also occur with idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Submacular hemorrhage damages photoreceptors owing to iron toxicity, fibrin meshwork contraction, and reduced nutrient flux, with subsequent macular scarring. Clinical and experimental studies support prompt treatment, as tissue damage can occur within 24 hours. Without treatment the natural history is poor, with a mean final visual acuity (VA) of 20/1600. Reported treatments include retinal pigment epithelial patch, macular translocation, pneumatic displacement, intravitreal or subretinal tissue plasminogen activator, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs, and combinations thereof. In the absence of comparative studies, we combined eligible studies to assess the VA change before and after each treatment option. The greatest improvement occurred after combined pars plana vitrectomy, subretinal tissue plasminogen activator, intravitreal gas, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment, with VA improving from 20/1000 to 20/400. The best final VA occurred using combined intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator, gas, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, with VA improving from 20/200 to 20/100. Both treatments had an acceptable safety profile, but most studies were small, and larger randomized controlled trials are needed to determine both safety and efficacy.

PNEUMATIC DISPLACEMENT OF SUBMACULAR HEMORRHAGE

PURPOSE

To investigate the safety and efficacy of pneumatic displacement of submacular hemorrhage without the use of intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).

METHODS

In a prospective, consecutive, single-center, noncomparative, interventional case series, 20 consecutive patients with submacular hemorrhage due to various etiologies (duration, 1-30 days; visual acuity, hand movements to 20/125) were treated with intravitreal perfluoropropane gas injection followed by prone positioning for 5 days to 7 days. Patients were observed 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the procedure.

RESULTS

Submacular blood was completely or partially displaced from the fovea in 16 of 20 eyes within 7 days after the injection. Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 1.6 to 0.72 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution, which was statistically significant (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P = 0.001). Final visual acuity was 20/63 or better in 10 eyes (50%). The change in proportion of eyes with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/63 or better after treatment was statistically significant (McNemar test, P = 0.002). Four patients developed nonresolving vitreous hemorrhage, which necessitated vitrectomy.

CONCLUSION

The results of pneumatic displacement of submacular hemorrhage using perfluoropropane gas are encouraging, thus questioning the role of tPA in the management of such cases.