[Surgical management of sub-retinal haemorrhage secondary to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy]

Abstract

We report the case of a 34-year-old black woman with acute and severe unilateral loss of sight related to idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy responsible for a sub macular haemorrhage (1/10 on the Monoyer scale). The patient underwent a pars plana vitrectomy associated with a sub retinal administration of tissue plasminogen activator (100 μg) and a pneumatic displacement by gas (C2F6) with facedown positioning for 5 days. There were no intraoperative complications and the clot was lysed and totally displaced from the macula. There was no recurrence of the disease and the retinal epithelium detachment decreased progressively. The final visual acuity was 7/10. This case report illustrates the capacity and efficacy of this surgical procedure in the management of sub macular haemorrhage related to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. It provides effective displacement of the clot, limiting retinal damage induced by sub macular haemorrhage. Furthermore, it allows early treatment of the polypoidal aneurysm by laser or dynamic phototherapy and increases final visual acuity. Randomised studies are expected to determine the indication for this surgical procedure in the management of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and the possible association of laser, dynamic phototherapy, or anti-VEGF treatments.