[Evaluation of the efficacy of intravitreal gas injection for submacular hemorrhages].
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.
Sawada
Kosaku
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Rosai Hospital, Japan. sawada@orh.go.jp
Ikeda
Toshihide
T
Oyagi
Tomohito
T
Okita
Takahide
T
Kashimoto
Daisaku
D
Bando
Hajime
H
Morita
Shinichi
S
Matsumura
Nagakazu
N
Sawada
Kenji
K
Toyoda
Eriko
E
Ueno
Chikako
C
Emi
Kazuyuki
K
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
D005740:Gases; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride