Clinical Outcomes of Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysms With Vitreous Hemorrhage Treated With Observation, Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor Intravitreal Injections, or Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of different types of treatment of retinal arterial macroaneurysm with vitreous hemorrhage. Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised patients with retinal arterial macroaneurysm and vitreous hemorrhage who were examined at a single retina clinic between 2013 and 2021. Results: Treatment arms included observation (n = 33), intravitreal injections (IVIs) of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents (n = 5), and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV; n = 12). Baseline characteristics and final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were similar in a combined analysis of all treatment groups (P > .05). The BCVA improved in all eyes, but the IVI and PPV arms had worse presenting BCVA. The mean number of injections was 3.6 ± 2.8. The incidence of subretinal hemorrhage was 18.2% in the observation arm, 25.0% in the PPV group (8.3% had subretinal tissue plasminogen activator), and 60.0% in the IVI group. The mean time to intervention was 13 ± 15.3 days for PPV and 38 ± 69.9 days for IVI. There was no correlation between the number of injections and the final BCVA (r = 0.13, P = .830). The IVI and PPV arms were more frequently on anticoagulants (P = .011). There was no difference in final BCVA between those using anticoagulants (0.52 ± 0.53) vs not using anticoagulants (0.55 ± 0.65) (P = .870). Conclusions: Most patients, regardless of treatment modality, demonstrated significantly improved BCVA and similar final visual outcomes. Patients with worse presenting BCVA were more likely to undergo PPV or IVI whereas those with better presenting BCVA had excellent outcomes with observation alone. Improved BCVA was not associated with the number of IVIs or anticoagulant use.

Keywords: anti-VEGF agents; lasers; retinal vascular disease; vitreoretinal surgery; vitreous hemorrhage.