5-years' experience with transvitreal extraction of subretinal neovascular membranes
Strmen, P.; Vavrová, K.; Hasa, J.; Krásnik, V.
Ceska a Slovenska Oftalmologie Casopis Ceske Oftalmologicke Spolecnosti a Slovenske Oftalmologicke Spolecnosti 54(4): 209-217
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 1211-9059 PMID: 9721485 Document Number: 497007
Over the period between June 1992 and November 1997, 15 subretinal neovascular membranes were removed in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Comenius University in Bratislava. The age of patients ranged between 57 and 72 years. In 13 patients the membrane was caused by age-related macular degeneration, in one patient the cause was choroiditis of unclear etiology and in one patient the membrane was caused probably by age related changes combined with myopic changes in the macular region. In three eyes only subretinal membrane was present. In all other eyes were also subretinal haemorrhages, hemophthalmus, or retinal detachment present. The visual acuity ranged between light perception and 1/50. After membrane removal the retina was tamponated by silicone oil in 10 eyes and by expanding gases in four eyes. In one eye peroperatively occurred profuse bleeding from choroidal vessels and this procedure was interrupted. The follow-up period ranged form 5-52 months. During this period in nine patients were performed additional 12 surgical procedures. The visual acuity achieved is 0 in three eyes and in other eyes it ranged between hand movement and 5/50. Two eye atrophied. In one eye retinal detachment is present. Three eyes are still filled with silicone oil. In two of them the tamponade will be probably permanent. In nine eyes large areas of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy are present and in two eyes also subretinal fibrous membranes are present.