Early vitrectomy in eyes with non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage

Abstract

Background: Optimal management of non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (NDVH) is controversial, and reliability of B-scan ultrasonography in detecting retinal tears (RTs) has been reported to be highly variable by previous literature. Objectives: To report outcomes of conservative versus surgical management of NDVH and reliability of B-scan ultrasonography in detecting RTs and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Design: Retrospective observational single-center cohort study. Methods: Ninety-six consecutive NDVH from 96 eyes (96 patients) with minimum follow-up duration of 12 months were included. Results: Seventy-two eyes (75%) underwent early pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), 19 (20%) were managed conservatively and 5 (5%) underwent late PPV. Initial mean best corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were 1.95 ± 1.19, 1.19 ± 1.38, and 1.14 ± 1.04 logMAR respectively, the difference was statistically significant ( p = 0.039). Mean final BCVAs were 0.92 ± 1.19, 0.59 ± 0.87, and 1.25 ± 1.89 logMAR, respectively, the difference was not significant ( p = 0.447). When comparing initial and final BCVAs, the difference was significant only in the early PPV group ( p = 0.00001) and was not significant in the conservative group ( p = 0.066) and in the late PPV group ( p = 0.46). Complications included RRD ( n = 2) and re-bleed in vitrectomized cavity ( n = 1) in the early surgical group, need for additional laser or cryoretinopexy to RTs ( n = 2), retinal detachment ( n = 1), neovascular glaucoma ( n = 1), persistent vitreous hemorrhage ( n = 2) in the conservative group. B-scan ultrasound showed preoperative 11.53% sensitivity and a 60.0% positive predictive value for diagnosing retinal tears (RTs) in NDVH. Conclusion: The benefit of early PPV in NDVH seems to outweigh the risks of surgery, especially in the context of low sensitivity of B-scan in identifying RTs, and significant improvement in final BCVA following surgery may occur. NDVH should be promptly referred to vitreoretinal services, as surgery may be a safer and more advisable option.