Background To analyze the functional and anatomical outcome after vitrectomy with subretinal rtPA (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) combined with or without an intravitreal Bevacizumab injection. Patients and methods Retrospective, consecutive case series of 31 pseudophakic patients with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) due to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with vitrectomy, subretinal rtPA and pneumatic air displacement with or without an additional intravitreal Bevacizumab injection. The primary endpoints were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central macular thickness (CMT) measured by SD‑OCT. The secondary endpoint was a displacement of hemorrhage from the subretinal space three months after surgery. Results 31 eyes of 31 patients were treated with vitrectomy and subretinal rtPA. 17/31 were treated simultaneously with an intravitreal Bevacizumab injection (group +B) and 14/31 without (group -B). The mean visual acuity improved significantly in both groups (from 1.37±0.39 to 1.03±0.57 logMAR in +B and from 1.48±0.48 to 1.01±0.38 logMAR in group –B, p<0.05). The mean CMT decreased in group +B from 607±179 μm to 424±205 μm (p = 0.2) and in group –B from 722±216 μm to 460±202 μm (p<0.05). A central displacement of the hemorrhage could be achieved in 47% in group +B, whereas in group -B displacement could be achieved in 50% (p = 0.44). Conclusions Vitrectomy with subretinal rtPA injection and air tamponade with or without simultaneous intravitreal Bevacizumab injection displaces SMH and improves BCVA effectively. In comparison, the postoperative outcome is comparable regardless of whether or not intravitreal bevacizumab is applied simultaneously.
To evaluate the efficacy of combining pre-operative intravitreal administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) followed by 23G pars plana vitrectomy with the subretinal administration of rTPA in the management of acute submacular hemorrhage (SMH) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods This is a single-center case series report that included 14 patients with SMH secondary to neovascular AMD. All of them received preoperative intravitreal injection of 0.05 ml (50 µg) rTPA, followed on the next day by 23G pars plana vitrectomy with subretinal 0.1 ml (10 µg) rTPA administration and air tamponade. Results There was a significant (p=0.01) overall improvement in the visual acuity post-treatment (from 1.4±0.5 log MAR to 0.9±0.4). The mean overall change in the visual acuity post-treatment was 0.5±0.3 log MAR (mean % change=31.7±15.1). There was a significant (p=0.03) overall reduction in the central macular thickness post-treatment (896±608.1 µm to 497.2±196.0 µm). The mean overall change in the central macular thickness post-treatment was 398.8±458.1 µm (mean % change=38.1±18.1). Conclusion Combined treatment of 24 hours of preoperative administration of intravitreal rTPA followed the next day by vitrectomy and the administration of subretinal rTPA with air tamponade appeared to be effective as a prompt intervention in managing acute SMH secondary to neovascular AMD. However, similar studies with larger sample size and a control comparative group are warranted to further confirm these findings.
Taurine, a semi-essential amino sulfonic acid, is present in high amounts in the retina. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuromodulatory properties which have shown to be beneficial for specific neurodegenerative conditions [1]. However, its effects on high myopia or its complications are unknown. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with pathological myopia, who 7 years ago, presented a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200 right eye (OD) and 20/70 left eye (OS), and was diagnosed with a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) OS. She initiated taurine supplementation (1.5 g/ daily for 14 days) and improved to a BCVA of 20/100 OD. She continued taking 500 mg/daily. Subsequent events included 4 injections of Aflibercept OS, cataract surgery in both eyes (AO), and peripheral retinal photocoagulation in AO. This last treatment induced a severe inflammation and loss of visual acuity OS. She was treated with corticosteroids, but after two weeks due to lack of improvement, the taurine dose was increased to 1 g/day. Three weeks after, her BCVA went from counting fingers to 20/60 OS, and her inflammation was controlled. After 7 years of continuous taurine intake, her CNV OS has remained inactive, her BCVA was stable and even improved in the last year from 20/45 OD and 20/80 OS to 20/25 OD and 20/60 OS, respectively. At the same time, her migraines decreased in intensity and frequency. This case report brings a new light towards the potential use of taurine supplementation in high myopia, retinal degeneration, and pathologic myopia.
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