Clinical characteristics and visual outcome of non-traumatic suprachoroidal haemorrhage in Taiwan

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and visual outcomes of non-traumatic suprachoroidal haemorrhage (SH) in Taiwan.

Methods: We report a retrospective, non-comparative, interventional case series study carried out in an institutional setting. Thirty-nine eyes with non-traumatic SH were studied using a new system for grading the severity of SH. The aetiologies of SH were analysed. The correlations between grades and prognoses of SH were studied. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with final visual outcome.

Results: Conditions causing SH in the eyes considered in this study included cataract surgery (43.59%), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (17.95%), filtering operation and vitrectomy (both 10.26%), scleral buckling (5.13%) and others. Twelve eyes (12/39, 30.77%) had a final visual outcome of no light perception. Only 12 eyes (12/39, 30.77%) had final visual acuity (VA) > 4/200. Grade of SH correlated significantly with need for surgical drainage and with final visual outcome (Spearman rank correlations 0.313 and - 0.408, p = 0.010 and p = 0.00317, respectively). 'Good' and 'poor' final VA was significantly associated with VA at the time of SH (multiple logistic regression coefficients 2.132 and - 2.809, p = 0.015 and p = 0.008, respectively), as well as initial retinal detachment (multiple logistic regression coefficients - 2.267 and 2.223, p = 0.036 and p = 0.006, respectively). Higher grades of SH and increased age were associated with poor final visual outcome (multiple logistic regression coefficients - 1.332 and - 0.122, p = 0.013 and p = 0.022, respectively).

Conclusions: Suprachoroidal haemorrhage is a devastating ocular problem. Complications of intraoperative surgery and AMD are common causes. The new SH grading system provides a simple method for evaluating the need for drainage and for predicting visual prognosis. Visual acuity and retinal detachment at the time of SH are major factors associated with good and poor final VA, respectively.