Vitreous hemorrhage: a discussion of etiologies, controversies and current and future therapeutics

Abstract

Vitreous hemorrhage is a common cause of painless vision loss with an incidence of seven per 100,000 people per year in the USA. Several etiologies exist, with proliferative vascular disease, posterior vitreous separation and trauma being amongst the most common. A thorough history and examination is critical in helping to identify the underlying pathology. Once a diagnosis has been made, management has traditionally revolved around either observation or pars plana vitrectomy. Over the last several years, however, newer pharmacological interventions have been emerging that may challenge conventional algorithms and allow the practitioner more therapeutic options.

Keywords::

• activator
• antivascular endothelial growth factor
• Avastin^®
• bevacizumab
• tissue plasminogen
• vision loss
• vitrase
• vitreous hemorrhage