Nonsurgical management of macular hemorrhage secondary to retinal artery macroaneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
To report visual acuity outcomes of nonsurgical management of macular hemorrhage secondary to retinal artery macroaneurysms.


METHODS
Forty-one patients at multiple centers with macular hemorrhage secondary to retinal artery macroaneurysms managed with observation alone were reviewed. Time to clearance of macular hemorrhage, visual acuity at final follow-up, and presence or absence of macular pigmentary changes after absorption of the hemorrhage were recorded for each patient.


RESULTS
On initial examination, visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in all except 4 patients (3 with 20/70, 1 with 20/80). At an average follow-up of 15. 7 months, a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 15 eyes (37%), between 20/50 and 20/100 in 12 (29%), and 20/200 or worse in 14 (34%). Macular pigmentary abnormalities were noted after clearance of the hemorrhage in 23 (56%) of 41 cases, and these eyes generally had worse visual acuity outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
In eyes with macular hemorrhage secondary to retinal artery macroaneurysms managed with observation alone, good visual acuity outcomes can often be achieved. Poorer visual acuity outcomes are associated with macular pigmentary changes after resorption of blood. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:780-785
McCabe
C M
CM
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, 900 NW 17th St, Miami, FL 33136, USA. hflynn@med.miami.edu
Flynn
H W
HW
McLean
W C
WC
Brod
R D
RD
McDonald
H R
HR
Johnson
M W
MW
Williams
G A
GA
Mieler
W F
WF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014792:Visual Acuity