Late postoperative vitreous cavity hemorrhage after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy—observation versus intervention

Purpose: To analyze the outcome of intervention versus observation for vitreous cavity hemorrhage occurring after a 2-month period of blood-free cavity (late postoperative vitreous cavity hemorrhage—POVCH) in eyes operated by vitrectomy for complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods: This study was a 10-year retrospective, observational, multi-center study involving eight major vitreoretinal surgical centers across India from January 2010 to December 2019. The primary objective of the study was to assess the visual and clinical outcomes of various management approaches for late POVCH. The key secondary objective was to determine the best management option that prevented recurrence. Patients with follow-up of less than 6 months of POVCH management were excluded. Results: The occurrence of late POVCH was studied in 261 eyes. The median time to occurrence was 7 months (range: 2–87) postvitrectomy/silicone oil removal. The majority (58%) experienced a single, nonrecurring POVCH event. Visual acuity outcome was independent of all management approaches (P = 0.179; mean follow-up 20.7 ± 14.1 months). With watchful observation, spontaneous resolution was noted in 83% (60/72 eyes) of eyes in 81.5 days (interquartile range, 169.75). Silicone oil injection was most effective in preventing recurrence (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The current treatment practice of late POVCH management in PDR suggests that watchful observation for at least 3 months could be as efficacious as any surgical intervention.