Predictive Factors for Submacular Hemorrhage in Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Retrospective Study
- Author:
Hanwool MOON
1
;
Hyun Goo KANG
;
Junwon LEE
;
Christopher Seungkyu LEE
;
Min KIM
;
Suk Ho BYEON
;
Sung Soo KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Ophthalmology 2024;38(6):471-479
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Little is known about the major risk factors for submacular hemorrhage (SMH). This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with SMH in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy receiving three consecutive loading doses of intravitreal aflibercept or ranibizumab injections.
Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study included 48 patients diagnosed with nAMD and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy who completed three loading doses under a treat-and-extend regimen. Patients were divided into the SMH group and the non-SMH group (age- and sex-matched without SMH), with 24 patients in each group. Intravitreal injections, agents, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features were compared.
Results:In the SMH group, SMH occurred approximately 3.29 years after post-nAMD diagnosis. The non-SMH group received more intravitreal injections of aflibercept and brolucizumab during the follow-up period after the initial loading phase. The SMH group exhibited a higher prevalence of serous/hemorrhagic pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) at the last visit before SMH occurrence compared to the non-SMH group. Patients with a PED increase in the past two visits showed a higher tendency in the SMH group. No other OCT features significantly correlated with SMH development.
Conclusions:The presence of serous/hemorrhagic PEDs may indicate a higher risk of SMH, and eyes with these features should be closely monitored to prevent sudden and devastating visual loss caused by SMH.
