Hyphema
OVERVIEW
Hyphema is a
term used to describe bleeding in the anterior chamber (the space
between the cornea and the iris)
of the eye. It occurs when blood vessels in the iris
bleed and leak into the clear
aqueous.
Hyphemas are usually characterized by pooling of blood in the
anterior chamber that may be visible to the naked eye. The red
blood cells of very small hyphemas are visible only with
magnification. Even the slightest amount of blood in the
anterior chamber will cause decreased vision when mixed in the clear
aqueous fluid.
Bleeding in the anterior chamber is most often caused by blunt trauma to the eye. It may also be associated with surgical procedures. Other causes include abnormal vessel growth in the eye and certain ocular tumors.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Decreased vision (Depending on the amount of blood in the eye, vision may be reduced to only hand movements and light perception only)
- Pool of blood in the anterior chamber
- Elevated intraocular pressure (in some cases)
DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS
It is very important for the doctor to determine the cause of the hyphema. If the hyphema is related to an ocular injury, any detail regarding the nature of the trauma is helpful. The doctor will assess visual acuity, measure intraocular pressure, and examine the eye with a slit lamp microscope and ophthalmoscope.
TREATMENT
The treatment is dependent on the cause and severity of the hyphema. Frequently, the blood is reabsorbed over a period of days to weeks. During this time, the doctor will carefully monitor the intraocular pressure for signs of the blood preventing normal flow of the aqueous through the eye's angle structures. If the eye pressure becomes elevated, eye drops may be prescribed to control it. The pupils are also evaluated to rule out damage to the iris.
In some cases, a procedure is performed to irrigate the blood from the anterior chamber to prevent secondary complications such as glaucoma and blood stains on the cornea.
Patients with significant hyphemas must rest and avoid strenuous activity to allow the blood to reabsorb.
St. Luke's Cataract & Laser
Institute provides this on-line information for educational and
communication purposes only and it should not be construed as
personal medical advice. Information published on this St.
Luke's website is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a
consultation with an eye care professional regarding the
viewer/user's own medical care. St. Luke's disclaims any and
all liability for injury or other damages that could result from use
of the information obtained from this site.