Purpose: To investigate the outcomes of intravitreal aflibercept and gas injections for submacular hemorrhage (SMH) associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 22 eyes with SMH secondary to PCV that underwent intravitreal aflibercept and 100% perfluoropropane (0.3-0.5 mL) followed by 3-day prone positioning from August 2013 through November 2020. The primary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months.
Results: The average SMH size was 13.0 ± 9.7 (range, 2.0-37.8) disc diameter. The complete, partial, and no displacement of the SMH was observed in 8 (36%) eyes, 9 (41%) eyes, and 5 (23%) eyes, respectively. The BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) continuously improved significantly from 0.81 ± 0.41 (Snellen equivalent, 20/125) at baseline to 0.48 ± 0.44 (20/60), 0.33 ± 0.39 (20/43), and 0.28 ± 0.45 (20/38), at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (P = 0.01 for 3 months; P < 0.001 for 6 and 12 months). The BCVA improved by 3 or more lines in 14 eyes (64%). Two eyes (9%) developed visually significant vitreous hemorrhage, and 1 (5%) eye developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment; all were successfully treated with vitrectomy. The better BCVA at 12 months tended to be associated with lower height of the SMH at baseline (R2 = 0.171, P = 0.056) and a greater displacement of SMH (R2 = 0.244, P = 0.069). Worse BCVA at 12 months was associated with anticoagulant medication (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Intravitreal aflibercept and gas injections are effective and relatively safe for SMH associated with PCV, resulting in significant visual improvement.
Keywords: Displacement; Gas injection; Intravitreal aflibercept; Perfluoropropane; Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy; Submacular hemorrhage.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.