Long‐term clinical courseafter vitrectomy for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age‐related macular degeneration

Abstract

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the long‐term clinical course after vitrectomy for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsThis retrospective study included 45 eyes that underwent vitrectomy due to breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage secondary to neovascular AMD. The patients were divided into two groups: typical neovascular AMD group and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) group. Within each group, the status of the eye within 6 months after the surgery and that at the final follow‐up was identified. The visual acuity at the final visit was additionally compared between the two groups.ResultsThe patients were followed up for a mean period of 39.9 ± 19.4 months after the surgery. In the typical neovascular AMD group (n = 17), re‐bleeding requiring vitrectomy was noted in four eyes and extensive scar formation was noted in six eyes within 6 months after the surgery. At the final visit, treatment was discontinued due to poor visual outcome in 12 eyes. In the PCV group (n = 28), re‐bleeding requiring vitrectomy was noted in one eye, and extensive scar formation was noted in four eyes within 6 months after the surgery. At the final visit, treatment was discontinued in eight eyes. The visual acuity at the final visit was significantly better in the PCV group (p = 0.003).ConclusionsThe long‐term clinical course after vitrectomy for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage was markedly different between typical neovascular AMD and PCV, showing significantly better long‐term visual outcomes in PCV.