Aims: To evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid on early postvitrectomy haemorrhage in diabetic patients.
Methods: In a clinical trial, 62 diabetic patients scheduled for vitrectomy were randomly assigned to two groups. The treatment group (32 eyes) received two doses of tranexamic acid (10 mg/kg) shortly before and after the operation intravenously, continued orally for 4 days (20 mg/kg/8 hours). The control group (30 eyes) received no medication. Both media clarity and visual acuity were compared during 4 weeks.
Results: Four weeks after surgery visual acuity was low (< or =1 metre counting fingers) in 21.4%, moderate (>1 metre counting fingers but<20/200) in 14.3%, and good (> or =20/200) in 64.3% of the treated group. Corresponding figures in the control group were 26.1%, 26.1%, and 47.8%, respectively. These differences were of no statistical significance. The ratio of mild to severe vitreous haemorrhage during the first 4 days and after 4 weeks was 79% to 21% and 82% to 18% in the treatment group and 76.7% to 23.3% and 78.3% to 21.7% in the control group respectively, which showed no statistically significant difference.
Conclusion: Tranexamic acid, with the method of administration in this study, had no effect on reducing early postvitrectomy haemorrhage in diabetic patients.