Massive submacular haemorrhage in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy versus typical neovascular age-related macular...

To investigate the incidence rate of massive submacular haemorrhage (SMH) and risk factors in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (tnAMD).

A total of 465 patients who were diagnosed with either PCV (n = 245) or tnAMD (n = 220) from 2003 to 2014 were enrolled. Cumulative incidence of massive SMH in PCV and that in tnAMD were compared. Risk factors of massive SMH were also analysed.

Massive SMH occurred in 32 patients (13.1%) with PCV and 9 patients (4.1%) with tnAMD. Incidence rates of massive SMH 5 and 10 years after the first visit were 11.1% and 29.9% in PCV and 4.3% and 9.9% in tnAMD, respectively. Incidence rates of massive SMH in PCV were significantly higher than those in tnAMD (hazard ratio [HR], 2.66; p = 0.007). Cox regression analysis revealed that mean number of photodynamic therapies (PDTs) per year (HR, 4.24; p < 0.001), cluster type of polypoidal lesion (HR, 3.42; p = 0.003) in PCV, and mean number of anti-VEGF injections per year (HR, 1.58; p < 0.001) in tnAMD were significantly associated with risk of massive SMH. For patients with severe vision loss, proportion of incident massive SMH was significantly higher in PCV (29.5%) than in tnAMD (6.9%, p < 0.001).

The incidence rate of massive SMH in eyes with PCV was about three times higher than that in eyes with tnAMD. Treatment methods that can reduce the incidence of massive SMH should be considered, especially for eyes with PCV.