The formation of platelet-fibrin clots causes degeneration of foveolar photoreceptors by subretinal hemorrhage.
Patients: Twenty-two patients with submacular hemorrhages were treated by intravitreal injection of 50 microg tpa and 0.5 ml SF(6) gas within 1 h. Biomicroscopy, fundus photography and fluorescein angiography were performed pre- and postoperatively. Further multifocal electroretinograms were recorded.
Results: The subfoveolar hemorrhages were dissoluted and displaced out of the macular region. The visual acuity increased in 18 cases and ranged from hand movement and 0.3 to values between 1/10 and 0.5.
Conclusions: Toxic and hypoxic damage of foveolar photoreceptors by subretinal hemorrhage can be prevented by early and minimal invasive fibrinolytic therapy. After localization of choroidal neovascularizations, treatment by focal laser coagulation is possible in some cases.