BACKGROUND: Bleeding into the subretinal space in the vicinity of the macula is associated with age-related macular degeneration or retinal arterial macroaneurysm. The prognosis for restoration of vision is poor in the presence of blood clots. METHODS: Using a simple device composed of three disposable syringes we injected tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) into the subretinal space during conventional vitrectomy in six patients to assist the draining of subretinal clots. RESULTS: Four of six patients recovered their visual acuity postoperatively, while visual acuity in the other patients was stabilized. CONCLUSION: Early drainage of subretinal hemorrhage assisted by the introduction of tPA into the subretinal space led to uncomplicated surgery and favorable postoperative results.
BACKGROUND: Bleeding into the subretinal space in the vicinity of the macula is associated with age-related macular degeneration or retinal arterial macroaneurysm. The prognosis for restoration of vision is poor in the presence of blood clots. METHODS: Using a simple device composed of three disposable syringes we injected tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) into the subretinal space during conventional vitrectomy in six patients to assist the draining of subretinal clots. RESULTS: Four of six patients recovered their visual acuity postoperatively, while visual acuity in the other patients was stabilized. CONCLUSION: Early drainage of subretinal hemorrhage assisted by the introduction of tPA into the subretinal space led to uncomplicated surgery and favorable postoperative results.
Authors: Carsten Grohmann; Spyridon Dimopoulos; Karl Ulrich Bartz-Schmidt; Philipp Schindler; Toam Katz; Martin S Spitzer; Christos Skevas Journal: Int J Retina Vitreous Date: 2020-07-02