Efficacy of fluid-air exchange for postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage

We reviewed the records of 33 fluid-air exchanges to assess the efficacy of fluid-air exchange in the management of recurrent vitreous cavity hemorrhage after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Fluid-air exchange alone was successful in clearing the vitreous cavity in ten of 20 eyes after a mean of 1.5 exchanges per eye. Repeat vitrectomy was required in the remaining ten eyes and anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation was frequently found. Hemorrhages that occurred in the late postoperative period (more than nine months) appeared more likely to be successfully treated with fluid-air exchange alone. Failure of the initial fluid-air exchange to induce clearing immediately after the procedure appeared to be associated with subsequent exchange failures and need for surgical intervention. Complications from the exchange procedure were infrequent with the development of peripheral retinal detachment in one eye. Our current recommendation for nonclearing recurrent postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage is to perform a fluid-air exchange, provided no other high-risk characteristics are present. If clearing occurs in the immediate postexchange period but rebleeding occurs at a later period, we recommend a second fluid-air exchange. If clearing does not occur in the immediate postexchange period, we recommend proceeding directly to revision of vitrectomy.