Simultaneous intravitreal aflibercept and gas injections for submacular hemorrhage secondary to polypoidal choroidal...

To investigate the outcomes of intravitreal aflibercept and gas injections for submacular hemorrhage (SMH) associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 22 eyes with SMH secondary to PCV that underwent intravitreal aflibercept and 100% perfluoropropane (0.3-0.5 mL) followed by 3-day prone positioning from August 2013 through November 2020. The primary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months.

The average SMH size was 13.0 ± 9.7 (range, 2.0-37.8) disc diameter. The complete, partial, and no displacement of the SMH was observed in 8 (36%) eyes, 9 (41%) eyes, and 5 (23%) eyes, respectively. The BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) continuously improved significantly from 0.81 ± 0.41 (Snellen equivalent, 20/125) at baseline to 0.48 ± 0.44 (20/60), 0.33 ± 0.39 (20/43), and 0.28 ± 0.45 (20/38), at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (P = 0.01 for 3 months; P < 0.001 for 6 and 12 months). The BCVA improved by 3 or more lines in 14 eyes (64%). Two eyes (9%) developed visually significant vitreous hemorrhage, and 1 (5%) eye developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment; all were successfully treated with vitrectomy. The better BCVA at 12 months tended to be associated with lower height of the SMH at baseline (R² = 0.171, P = 0.056) and a greater displacement of SMH (R² = 0.244, P = 0.069). Worse BCVA at 12 months was associated with anticoagulant medication (P < 0.001).

Intravitreal aflibercept and gas injections are effective and relatively safe for SMH associated with PCV, resulting in significant visual improvement.