VITRECTOMY FOR VITREOUS HEMORRHAGE ASSOCIATED WITH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Abstract

Purpose: To report the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage (VH) associated with retinal vein occlusion and to identify prognostic indicators. Methods: Interventional, retrospective consecutive case series between 2015 and 2021. Results: The study included 138 eyes of 138 patients (64 female and 74 male); 81 patients had branch retinal vein occlusion and 57 had central retinal vein occlusion. The mean age was 69.8 years. The mean duration between the diagnosis of VH and surgery was 79.6 ± 115.3 (range, 1–572) days. The mean follow-up was 27.2 months. The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity significantly improved from 1.95 ± 0.72 (Snellen equivalent, 20/1782) to 0.99 ± 0.87 (20/195) at 6 months and to 1.06 ± 0.96 (20/230) at the final visit (both P < 0.001). The visual acuity at 6 months improved by three or more lines in 103 eyes (75%). Postoperative complications during follow-up included recurrent VH in 16 eyes (12%) (of which 8 eyes underwent reoperations), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in six eyes (4%), and new neovascular glaucoma in three eyes (2%). Worse final visual acuity was significantly associated with older age (P = 0.007), concurrent neovascular glaucoma (P < 0.001), central retinal vein occlusion (P < 0.001), worse preoperative visual acuity (P < 0.001), postoperative new neovascular glaucoma (P = 0.021), and postoperative retinal detachment (P < 0.001). The duration of VH was not associated with visual outcomes (P = 0.684). Preoperative antivascular endothelial growth factor injections and tamponade did not prevent postoperative recurrent VH. Conclusion: Pars plana vitrectomy is effective for VH associated with retinal vein occlusion, regardless of the duration of hemorrhage. However, pre-existing risk factors and postoperative sequelae may limit visual recovery.