Rapid displacement of subretinal hemorrhage from a choroidal neovascular membrane with intravitreal C3F8 gas and face-down positioning.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of rapid displacement of subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) from a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) with intravitreal injection of C3F8 gas.

OBSERVATIONS: A 66-year-old patient presented in clinic with count fingers (CF) vision from a fibrovascular scar in the right eye (OD) and 20/30 vision in the left eye (OS) with butterfly dystrophy. His left eye developed a CNV and was managed with monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF agents for 29 months. Five days after a ranibizumab treatment, the patient developed a moderate subfoveal hemorrhage. The vision decreased from 20/30 to 20/50. He elected to monitor the disease process. Eleven days later the vision decreased to 20/200, and he consented to intravitreal injection of 0.3 cc of 100% C3F8 with face-down positioning. The patient received an anterior chamber paracentesis to manage the intraocular pressure. The patient had near complete displacement of subretinal hemorrhage and fluid in less than 2 hours. He then had repeat OCT and fundus photos to document the rapid displacement. His vision returned to 20/30-2 twelve days later, at which point the subretinal fluid and blood had been completely displaced from the macula.

CONCLUSIONS AND

IMPORTANCE

The patient had rapid displacement of subretinal hemorrhage and fluid with intravitreal C3F8. New blood filling the space of pre-existing neurosensory fluid from the active CNV likely enhanced displacement. Timely intervention before stable clot formation was helpful for ease of displacement of the subretinal hemorrhage.