Efficacy of Simultaneous Application of Subretinal Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Bevacizumab for Submacular Hemorrhages

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the patients who received simultaneous subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and bevacizumab for submacular hemorrhages secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with simultaneous sub-retinal tPA and subretinal bevacizumab with 18% SF6 tamponade. Anatomical and functional results of the patients before surgery and at the 1st, 6th, and 12th months after surgery, additional treatments, and complications after PPV were evaluated.
RESULTS: Eight eyes of eight patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 72.38±92.3. The mean time from the onset of symptoms to treatment was 5.13±1.88 days. The patients’ mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 2.23±0.14 logMAR at baseline. Mean BCVA increased significantly at 1st, 6th, and 12th months to 1.68±0.47 logMAR, 1.58±0.49 logMAR, and 1.51±0.58 logMAR, respectively (p=0.001 at all). The mean central foveal thickness (CFT) in measurable patients was 836.8±627.02 µm at baseline. Mean CFT decreased significantly to 370.13±66.13 µm in the 1st month, 373.38±78.33 µm in the 6th month, and 367.75±116.43 µm in the 12th month (p<0.05). The maximum measurable subretinal hemorrhage height at baseline was 814.2±556.45 µm. The mean number of anti-VEGFs performed for 12 months after surgery was 4.13±2.1. At month 12, the ellipsoid zone could not be detected in 6 (75%) patients.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Administration of subretinal bevacizumab and subretinal tPA effectively removes subretinal hemorrhage under the fovea. Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment must be continued, as choroidal neovascular membrane activity continues after surgery.