Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections to treat post-trabeculectomy Swan syndrome

To report a case of wound neovascularization (Swan syndrome) one year after trabeculectomy favorably treated with two intravitreal ranibizumab injections.

A 79-year-old woman under coumadin treatment for atrial fibrillation experienced relapsing decreased vision in her left eye due to vitreous hemorrhage. She had had a past history of ocular hypertension corneal decompensation after phacoemulsification that required a Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty and a subsequent trabeculectomy. After clearance of the hemorrhage, examination showed neovascularization not in the retina but surrounding the sclerostomy wound of the trabeculectomy, being diagnosed as a Swan syndrome. After two intravitreal injections of ranibizumab, gonioscopy showed complete resolution of the new vessels. No further recurrences have been reported and IOP has remained controlled without glaucomatous changes 7 months after the last injection. Clinical features and patient characteristics are described.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injections may be a good and safe alternative to manage vitreous hemorrhage secondary to wound neovascularization of the trabeculectomy site.