Anticoagulants increase risk of intraocular bleeding

Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and who take antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication are at a higher risk of intraocular hemorrhage. Nearly 200 patients with no history of intraocular hemorrhage were reviewed in the retrospective study. Results showed that 46.6% had an intraocular hemorrhage during the study which took place over a 73 month period. There was a 63.5% cumulative incidence of intraocular hemorrhage among patients who used antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants on a daily basis. Patients who were not on such medications only had a 29.2% cumulative incidence. Researchers acknowledge that the risk to the patient's health could be great if these medicines are discontinued. Maintaining an appropriate dosage is the recommendation.*