A rare ophthalmic complication: Expulsive suprachoroidal hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

Background: Expulsive suprachoroidal hemorrhage is a rare but dreadful complication of any ophthalmic surgery. Hence an ophthalmologist should know about the various risk factors, methods for preventing such a situation, and be aware of the various options for timely management to tackle the situation. Purpose: To discuss the risk factors, intraoperative signs, and ways of managing expulsive choroidal hemorrhage. Synopsis We discuss two cases having multiple risk factors, where the patients underwent tectonic penetrating keratoplasty. In view of extensive involvement of ocular structures, the patients were clearly explained about the guarded visual prognosis and the risk of auto-evisceration. Following trephination of host cornea, rise in intraocular pressure was identified by the increasing size of the vitreous seen prolapsing through the wound and markedly visible pulsations, along with subconjunctival bleeding. Suprachoroidal hemorrhage was suspected and immediate tamponade was given. However, bleeding was not controlled, and eventually, expulsion of all the intraocular contents occurred. Highlights A surgeon must be aware of the risk factors, be prompt to identify the signs, and must take immediate actions for the management of expulsive choroidal hemorrhage, a rare but dreadful complication of intraocular procedures