title: [Evaluation of the efficacy of intravitreal gas injection for submacular hemorrhages].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal gas injection for submacular hemorrhages(SMH).
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 29 patients with SMH, who were treated by pneumatic displacement with expansile gas, were reviewed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In observable cases, SMH had started moving within five days after the procedure. After 6 months visual acuity had been improved 2 or more lines in 23 eyes(79%). The causes of SMH were age-related macular degeneration (17 eyes) and microaneurysm (12 eyes). The larger the size of SMH, had the greater the risk of developing vitreous hemorrhage. Twelve eyes of the 29 eyes required vitrectomy owing to vitreous hemorrhage, insufficient removal of SMH, etc. but this pneumatic procedure often eliminated the need for vitrectomy. The visual acuity of the patients with additional vitrectomy was improved with only pneumatic displacement. None of the patients had serious complications with this pneumatic procedure and the vitrectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The first choice for SMH is intravitreal gas injection which saves foveal function, and improves the prognosis for better vision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Rosai Hospital, Japan. sawada@orh.go.jp
authors.forename: Kosaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.forename: Toshihide
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Tomohito
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oyagi
authors.forename: Takahide
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okita
authors.forename: Daisaku
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kashimoto
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bando
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Nagakazu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Matsumura
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.forename: Eriko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toyoda
authors.forename: Chikako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: Kazuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Emi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008266:Macula Lutea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride