Clinical features and outcomes of breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage secondary to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with hemorrhagic complications is at higher risk for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage (VH). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of breakthrough VH secondary to PCV. Data of patients receiving pars plana vitrectomy for breakthrough VH secondary to PCV (VH group) were evaluated retrospectively and compared statistically to data of age and sex-matched PCV patients without breakthrough VH (control group). Among PCV patients, 36 eyes with breakthrough VH and 62 eyes without VH were included. Compared with baseline, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was worse in the VH group (P < 0.001), and improved postoperatively (P < 0.001). Percentages of pigmented epithelial detachment (PED), hemorrhagic PED, massive subretinal hemorrhage, hemorrhagic retinal detachment (RD), and hemorrhagic choroidal detachment (CD) (P = 0.007) were higher in the VH group (P < 0.001). Incidence of choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (P < 0.001), massive subretinal hemorrhage (P = 0.001), hemorrhagic retinal detachment (P = 0.001) and hemorrhagic type PCV (P = 0.001) was higher in patients with pachychoroid PCV, while fibrovascular type had lower incidence (P < 0.001). Better initial BCVA (P < 0.001), higher frequency of anti-VEGF treatment (P = 0.009), and previous photodynamic therapy (P = 0.017) showed better visual outcomes. Breakthrough VH risk is higher in PCV patients with massive subretinal hemorrhage, hemorrhagic PED and hemorrhagic RD. BCVA and hemorrhagic complications improve significantly postoperatively. Higher frequency of anti-VEGF treatment and previous photodynamic therapy are associated with better visual prognosis in PCV patients with breakthrough VH.