Purpose  

To report the visual outcome following the surgical excision of retinal macroaneurysms with submacular hemorrhage.

Methods  

Two patients presented with decreased vision caused by submacular hemorrhage from retinal macroaneurysms. In the first case, the macroaneurysm was too large to be treated by photocoagulation, and in the second case the direct photocoagulation during the first vitrectomy did not prevent the recurrence of hemorrhages. Vitrectomy with surgical excision of the retinal macroaneurysm using scissors and diathermy with a drainage of the submacular hemorrhage was then performed.

Results  

In the first patient, the visual acuity was light perception before treatment and 2/200 16 months after the excision. In the second patient, the visual acuity was 20/667 before treatment and 20/40 11 months after the excision. No hemorrhage has recurred in either case after the second vitrectomy.

Conclusions  

The surgical excision of retinal macroaneurysms might be an effective procedure in cases where the macroaneurysm is too large or cannot be treated by photocoagulation during vitrectomy.