[Stability of postoperative visual acuity after rt-PA -SF6-treatment of submacular hemorrhage in age-related macular degeneration].
OBJECTIVE
Treatment of submacular hemorrhage with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(rt-PA) and SF6 induces blood displacement out of the fovea by maintaining prone positioning. The underlying disease, e.g. the choroidal neovascularisation remains untreated. Nevertheless, it has been noted that the visual results of this method are more favorable than those expected in the natural course. Contributing long-term results the present study intends to give more information concerning this phenomenon.


METHODS
A total of 45 consecutive eyes were treated using a standardized procedure (duration of hemorrhage < or =1 week, area of hemorrhage 1-10 disc areas, 50 gammag rt-PA, 0.5 ml SF6 24 h later, prone positioning for 3 days). Those with a follow-up of > or =6 months were included in the study.


RESULTS
From 25 patients a total of 25 eyes fulfilled the criteria. Postoperative visual acuity(3-7 days) was improved or unchanged in 19 eyes and worse in 6 eyes. Comparison of postoperative visual acuity after follow-up of an average of 14.2 months (range 6-28 months) revealed an improvement in 10 eyes, no change in 7 eyes and a deterioration in 8 eyes. A second treatment was performed in 2 eyes and photocoagulation in 1 eye.


CONCLUSIONS
After more than 1 year the postoperative visual acuity was stable or even better in about two-thirds of the eyes therefore treatment with rt-PA and SF6 may also influence the choroidal neovascularisation.
Steller
A
A
Augenklinik Klinikum Wuppertal GmbH, Wuppertal.
Gerke
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator