Introduction: Suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH) is a dramatic complication of intraocular surgery that can result in total loss of vision.
Methods: The records of eight cases of SCH during cataract surgery were reviewed. Six of eight patients were treated by combined radial sclerotomies for suprachoroidal drainage and vitrectomy. Risk factors, therapeutic strategies, and functional and anatomical results were analyzed.
Results: The incidence of SCH was 0.45%. Preoperative visual acuity of all eyes suffering from SCH was limited to the perception of light. Postoperatively, six patients showed an increase in visual acuity greater than 0.1; one patient achieved 0.5. Ocular and general risk factors (ocular hypotony, myopia, Valsalva-type maneuvers, intraoperative systemic hypertension) and surgery complications were analyzed.
Conclusions: In spite of using state-of-the-art surgical techniques, the prognosis of SCH remains serious, with a poorer outcome associated with increasing complications due to hemorrhage. Secondary treatment combining radial sclerotomies and vitrectomy should be performed to minimize the damaging effect of choroidal hemorrhage.