Dissolution of intraocular fibrinous exudate by streptokinase

In a prospective, open, pilot study, the authors evaluated the effects of intraocular injection of streptokinase on intraocular fibrin. The study was composed of nine patients in whom fibrinous exudate developed after pars plana vitrectomy. There were seven male and two female patients with a mean age of 44 years (range, 27 to 65 years). Fibrinous exudates were seen 1 to 22 days after surgery with obstruction of the view of the posterior segment. Each patient received a single intraocular injection of 1000 IU of purified streptokinase. Four hours after the streptokinase injection, complete dissolution of the fibrin was noted in each patient. There were no clinically detectable adverse effects from the intraocular administration of streptokinase. Streptokinase may be considered in the dissolution of intractable fibrinous exudates after vitrectomy.