[Spontaneous intraocular hemorrhage under oral anticoagulation : Apixaban in comparison to phenprocoumon]

To determine and compare the frequency of intraocular hemorrhage in patients who underwent oral anticoagulation with apixaban or phenprocoumon.

A retrospective analysis of patients under oral anticoagulant medication (apixaban or phenprocoumon) seen between January 2015 and June 2015 at the department of ophthalmology, University of Muenster Medical Center was performed. Vitreal or retinal hemorrhage in addition to clinical information including age, gender, best corrected visual acuity, concomitant diseases, concomitant medication and therapy were obtained. Bleeding frequency in both groups was compared using Fisher's exact test.

A total of 172 patients were included with a mean age = 74.0 ± 10.6 years, 57.0% (n = 98) male and 43.0% (n = 74) female. In the phenprocoumon group 147 patients (3.4%, n = 5) developed a retinal or vitreal hemorrhage. In the apxiban group 25 patients (36%, n = 9) developed a retinal or vitreal hemorrhage. There was a significant correlation between the group and bleeding risk (p < 0.001).

There was a significant correlation between medication (apixaban vs. phenprocoumon) and bleeding risk in this study population. Further studies with more patients especially in patients with a high risk of hemorhage, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy are needed.