[Long-term results after simple vitrectomy for age-related macular degeneration with vitreous hemorrhage]

We reviewed the cases of 10 eyes with vitreous hemorrhage secondary to submacular hemorrhage associated with age-related macular degeneration, in which vitrectomy was performed without subretinal management. Vitreous hemorrhage occurred within 3 weeks of submacular hemorrhage. After vitrectomy, residual subretinal hemorrhage was rapidly absorbed and choroidal neovascularization was undetectable. After the surgery visual acuity improved over that of submacular hemorrhage in 5 eyes. Mean follow-up was 25 months and final visual acuity was 0.2 or better in 6 eyes (60%). Final visual outcome was highly corelated with the period from subretinal hemorrhage to vitrectomy, the thickness of subfoveal hemorrhage at vitrectomy, position of choroidal neovascularization, and duration of subretinal hemorrhage. Simple virectomy might be effective to stabilize submacular changes and improve visual acuity.