Background: The presence of marked vitreous hemorrhage is associated with poor visual prognosis in ocular trauma involving the posterior segment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features, prognostic factors, and visual outcomes in such eyes after closed-globe injury.
Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients with severe vitreous hemorrhage after closed-globe injury between January 2000 and December 2002.
Results: The study included 33 eyes in 32 patients with a mean age of 41.5 (range, 3-78 years) and a median follow-up period of 12 (range, 3-50 months). Presenting visual acuity was between 4/200, and there was light perception in 32 eyes (97%) and no light perception in one eye (3%). Fifteen eyes (45%) had one or more posterior segment pathologies beneath the vitreous hemorrhage. There were retinal tears in six eyes (18%), retinal detachment in six (18%), submacular hemorrhage in six (15%), choroidal rupture in three (9%), macular pucker in three (9%), retinal dialysis in one (3%), macular hole in one (3%), and retinal vessels occlusion in one (3%). Seven eyes (21%) had final visual acuity 20/40 or better, and 18 eyes (54%) had less than 20/200. Poor prognostic factors included presenting visual acuity of light perception or lower (p=0.032), hyphema (p=0.007), traumatic cataract (p=0.027), and age 55 years or younger (p=0.039). The most common cause of poor visual outcome was macular scar.
Conclusion: The visual prognosis of severe vitreous hemorrhage after closed-globe injury was guarded. This was frequently associated with various anterior and posterior segment pathologies. In order to provide early visual rehabilitation and management of any potentially treatable posterior pathology, early vitrectomy may be considered.