Two cases of avulsed retinal vessel syndrome with different course.

PURPOSE

To report two cases of vitreous hemorrhage caused by avulsed retinal vessel syndrome (ARVS), one of which was successfully treated without vascular occlusion.

OBSERVATIONS

A 62-year-old female presented with vitreous hemorrhage of unknown origin. We performed vitrectomy and found a detached and ruptured retinal vein below the optic nerve head. After coagulating the peripheral side of the blood vessel, we were able to prevent the recurrence of vitreous hemorrhage. However, she developed branch retinal vein occlusion and subsequently macular edema. In the other case, a 71-year-old woman also had vitreous hemorrhage, but the fundus was partially visible. The retinal vein in the superior nasal quadrant was detached from the retinal surface and bled into the vitreous cavity. We performed vitrectomy to relieve the vitreous traction. Although we did not coagulate the vein, there was no recurrence of vitreous hemorrhage after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE

By releasing the vitreous traction with vitrectomy, we were able to treat the patient with ARVS without vascular occlusion.