Surgical Management of Vitreous Hemorrhage Secondary to Avulsed Retinal Vessels Without Retinal Tears.

PURPOSE: To present a case series of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for dense vitreous hemorrhage (VH) secondary to avulsed retinal vessels in the setting of acute posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

METHODS

The clinical presentation, surgical management, and outcomes of patients who underwent PPV for VH caused by avulsed retinal vessels were evaluated.

RESULTS

Four patients underwent PPV for dense VH. After evacuation of the VHs, all eyes were found to have avulsed retinal vessels without retinal tears.

CONCLUSIONS

Dense VH in the setting of a PVD may preclude adequate examination of the fundus and require urgent PPV for timely management of possible retinal tears, retinal detachments, or avulsed retinal vessels. Retinal vessel avulsion without retinal tear is an uncommon but important cause of dense VH and may have favorable outcomes after vitrectomy.