Intravitreal Injection of tPA and C(3)F(8) Gas in Submacular Hemorrhage

Lee, Jae Yong; Kim, Hyung Chan

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic factors in the treatment of submacular hemorrhages with intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator and gas.
METHODS
The authors reviewed the medical records of 24 patients with submacular hemorrhage who received intravitreal injection of tPA and gas. Follow-up period in this study was more than 3 months. Periods of blood displaced from fovea, periods when visual acuity became stable, periods of complete absorption of blood in relation to age, underlying disease, size and duration of hemorrhage were investigated. Also, we investigated the visual outcome according to each factors.
RESULTS
There was statistically significant relationship between size of hemorrhage and periods of blood displaced from fovea. Underlying disease, duration of submacular hemorrhage had not significant effect on periods of blood displaced from fovea, periods when visual acuity became stable, periods of complete absorption of blood. A half of patients had improved visual acuity, but factors like underlying disease, size and duration of hemorrhage had no significant effect on visual outcome.
CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal injection of tPA and gas was effective in visual improvement in most patients. Factor like size of hemorrhage had significant effect on clinical course.