Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage based on duration and underlying etiology of hemorrhage.
Methods: :
Retrospective review of vitrectomy surgeries performed by a single surgeon (SHM) between August 2005 and September 2008 for a primary diagnosis of vitreous hemorrhage.
Results: :
Outcomes of 65 vitrectomies in 60 patients were examined. The average duration of hemorrhage was 5.49 months, and the average improvement in visual acuity was 2.80 Snellen lines. There was no correlation between the duration of hemorrhage and visual improvement. The most common diagnosis was proliferative diabetic retinopathy, followed by retinal vascular occlusions, proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, trauma, and subretinal hemorrhage.
Conclusions: :
Modern pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage tends to have good outcomes, regardless of duration of hemorrhage or underlying cause. However, significant comorbid conditions such as neovascular glaucoma, traction retinal detachments, or subfoveal hemorrhages may limit visual recovery.
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • diabetic retinopathy