Purpose: A retrospective study of anatomical and functional results of haemorrhages sub-internal limiting membrane treated by pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling.
Materials and methods: The studied group consists of 6 patients – 6 eyes with acute bleeding under internal limiting membrane at the age of 18–59 years (mean age 37,3 years). The group was ethiopathogenetically various: 1x sarcoidosis, 1x cocaine abuse, 1x alcoholic and drug-induced hepatopathy, 1x morbus von Willebrand, 1x branch retinal vein occlusion combined with macroaneuryzm, 1x unknown cause – idiopathic. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was hand motion in 3 of the eyes, counting fingers at 30 cm, 20/200 or 20/63 in the other 3 eyes. After a complete ophthalmologic examination including fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography a 23-gauge sutureless pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling was performed in all patients. The follow-up period was 3–36 months (mean follow-up 18.3 months).
Results: In all 6 patients (6 eyes) an important improvement of visual functions was observed within 2–3 days after the surgery with a corresponding improvement of anatomical ophthalmoscopic findings and findings on optical coherence tomography. The BCVA at the last examination was 20/20 in 3 eyes, 20/32 in 2 eyes and 20/25 in 1 eye. We did not experience any complications like retinal tear, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis or relapse of bleeding neither during the surgery nor during the follow-up period.
Conclusion: Sub-internal limiting membrane haemorrhage affect younger patients in workingage population. These patients need rapid visual recovery. Surgical treatment of sub-internal limiting membrane haemorrhages by pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling is a safe and effective method, which facilitates a quick return to patients` previous working activities and social standard.