Massive spontaneous choroidal hemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the course, management, and prognosis of massive spontaneous choroidal hemorrhage.


METHODS
The presenting visual acuity, ocular findings, duration to surgical intervention, and outcomes of five patients were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
Five eyes from four patients (median age, 80 years; range, 66-85 years) were studied. The patients were observed from 4 to 72 months (median, 33 months). Three patients were on anticoagulation therapy with warfarin; one patient had bilateral involvement with no history of anticoagulation therapy. Three patients were hypertensive, and three of the four had been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration. Four eyes underwent choroidal drainage procedures, and one was observed. In all patients whose choroids were drained, the final vision was no light perception.


CONCLUSIONS
Massive spontaneous choroidal hemorrhage may be associated with hypertension, systemic anticoagulation, advanced age, and age-related macular degeneration. Final visual acuities are generally poor.
Yang
Sam S
SS
California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA.
Fu
Arthur D
AD
McDonald
H Richard
HR
Johnson
Robert N
RN
Ai
Everett
E
Jumper
J Michael
JM
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002832:Choroid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin