Hyphema

What is hyphema?

Hyphema (heye-FEE-mah) is the presence of blood in the space between the cornea and the iris of your eye. The cornea is the thin, colorless covering in the front of the eye. It protects the iris (colored part of the eye) and pupil (opening of the eye where light passes through).

What causes hyphema?

Hyphema may be caused by any of the following:

• Trauma: Trauma may include a blunt or piercing injury to the area of the eye. Eye injuries may happen during sports, fights, animal attacks, car crashes, or explosions. The eye may be poked by a stick, woodchip, fingernail, or injured during eye surgery.
  
  
• Non-trauma: Diseases, such as blood clotting problems or cancer, may make you bleed easily and cause hyphema. Certain conditions may cause the growth of new blood vessels that are prone to leak and break. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners or medicines for pain and swelling, may also make you bleed easily.

What are the signs and symptoms of hyphema?

You may have any of the following:

• Blood in the white of the eye. The blood may pool (collect) at the bottom of the cornea when the head is upright.
  
  
• Blurring or loss of vision.
  
  
• Eye pain.
  
  
• Pupil that is abnormally shaped or different from the unaffected eye.

How is hyphema diagnosed?

Your caregiver will need your detailed health history. This will include information on past infections, diseases, surgeries, or medicines you are taking. Your caregiver will also do a complete eye exam, including testing your vision, eye movements, and eye pressure. You may also have any of the following tests:

• Blood tests: You may need to have blood taken for tests. This may help your caregiver check if you have other health conditions that may have caused the hyphema. Certain blood tests, such as to check for sickle cell, may also be needed before starting treatment.
  
  
• Slit-lamp test: This test uses a microscope with a strong light to look into your eyes. It is used to check the inside parts of your eye and the area around it.

How is hyphema treated?

Treatment will depend on what caused your hyphema and how bad the hyphema is. The goal is to prevent another bleeding episode and control the pressure inside the eye. Usually, the condition goes away on its own as the blood is reabsorbed back into the body. Your caregiver may want you to rest and avoid doing heavy activities, such as lifting, while you heal. An eye patch may be placed on your eye to protect it from further injury. You may also have any of the following:

• Medicines: Medicines may be used to control the pressure in your eye. Tell your caregiver if you are taking any medicine that may make you bleed easily. These medicines may have to be stopped or adjusted. You may also be given eye drops containing steroids to decrease swelling.
  
  
• Surgery: Surgery to remove the blood clot in the eye may be done if the eye pressure is very high. This may also be done if the blood has stained your cornea or does not go away after a few days. Your caregiver may flush the inside of your eye with a certain solution and suck out the clot using a needle. He may also take out the blood and replace it with a clear solution. Surgery to make a small hole in the eye may also be done to help drain the fluid.

With treatment, such as medicine and surgery, further problems caused by hyphema may be prevented, and your vision may be saved.

What are the risks of having hyphema?

Hyphema may cause more serious eye problems if left untreated. The pressure in your eye may increase to very high levels (acute glaucoma). The cornea may be stained with blood and cause blurring of vision. You may also develop a nerve problem or loss of vision. You may have more bleeding in the eye. Diagnosing and treating hyphema as soon as possible is very important. Call your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

Where can I find more information?

Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology
  7424
  San Francisco , CA 941207424
  Phone: 1- 415 - 5618500
  Web Address: http://www.aao.org/
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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