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Vitreous Hemorrhage, Aetiology and Visual Outcome of Vitrectomy in a Black African Population

West Afr J Med. 2022 Sep 16;39(9):958-963.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Information on the causes and outcome of treatment of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in sub-Saharan Africa is limited.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the causes and postoperative vision after vitrectomy for VH.

DESIGN: A retrospective review of records from consecutive eyes, with VH greater than one-month duration, who had vitrectomy and adjunctive treatment in a retina unit in Nigeria.

METHODS: We assessed the change between preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, bio data, cause of VH, duration of follow up, and additional treatment. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package 17.0 to determine the significance of the change in visual acuity for each cause of VH. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Of the 221 eyes of 219 patients, the common causes of VH were trauma 43 eyes, (19.7%), proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 37 eyes (17.0%) and proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, 30 eyes (13.8%). There was no association between cause and the presenting preoperative visual acuity. There was a statistically significant association between cause of VH and postoperative visual outcome. Postoperative visual improvement was significant for branch retinal vein occlusion, central retinal vein occlusion, proliferative diabetic retinopathy with VH only, proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, and trauma with VH only, p value = 0.000, 0.002, 0.001, 0.039, and 0.000 respectively. Postoperative visual change was not significant in age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (p value = 0.155, 0.428 respectively).

CONCLUSION: Significant improvements in visual acuity can be achieved with active treatment of VH in the majority of cases in Nigeria. This information is useful for discussions on prognosis and agrees with previous studies.

PMID:36128750

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