The Effect of Argon Laser Photocoagulation at Abnormal Conjunctival Blood Vessels in Patients with Recurrent Subconjunctival Hemorrhages

1. Byung Yi Ko, MD
2. Hyo-jeong Kang, MD

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of argon laser photocoagulation at abnormal conjunctival blood vessels on recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhage at the same location.

Methods: Five eyes of 5 patients, diagnosed with recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages at the same site, who were without a systemic bleeding disorder and who had abnormal blood vessels in the conjunctiva after the hemorrhage was absorbed, were included in this study. The patients received argon laser photocoagulation at the abnormal conjunctival blood vessels and the photocoagulation was performed with the minimal energy that could shrink the abnormal blood vessels. The patients were observed for more than 12 months after laser photocoagulation.

Results: The mean age of 5 patients was 46.8 years. The mean number of recurrence was 9.2 times and the mean interval until recurrence was 2.4 months. The mean duration that elapsed from the time of the first episode until the laser photocoagulation was 48.7 months. During the follow-up periods, hemorrhage recurred in only 1 eye at 7 months after laser photocoagulation. The patient who relapsed with hemorrhage received additional photocoagulation and then there was no recurrence for 12 months. There were no complications of laser photocoagulation.

Conclusions: We could prevent a relapse of recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhage at the same location in patients who were without a systemic bleeding disorder by performing argon laser photocoagulation at the abnormal blood vessels that were found after the hemorrhage was absorbed.