Hyphema Treatment
If you’ve been diagnosed with hyphema or have noticed sudden vision changes, we’re here to help. At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, we offer advanced care to manage hyphema, protect your vision, and prevent future complications.
What is Hyphema?
Hyphema happens when blood collects in the front part of your eye, specifically in the space between your cornea and iris. This condition often occurs after an eye injury but can also result from other issues like eye surgery or underlying health problems. The buildup of blood can block your vision and raise the pressure inside your eye, which might lead to more serious damage if left untreated.
Symptoms of Hyphema Can Include:
- Sudden decrease in vision
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Sensitivity to light
- Visible blood in the front of the eye
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Increased pressure in the eye
- Redness around the cornea
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Some common causes of hyphema include:
- Direct trauma to the eye (such as from sports or accidents)
- Complications following eye surgery
- Abnormal blood vessels in the eye
- Blood clotting disorders
- Use of blood-thinning medications
- Inflammatory eye conditions
- Previous eye injuries
Benefits of Receiving Treatment
- Restored and clearer vision
- Reduced eye pressure
- Lowered risk of permanent vision loss
- Prevention of long-term damage to the cornea or optic nerve
Are You a Candidate For Hyphema Treatment?
- Traumatic hyphema (blood in the anterior chamber caused by blunt trauma or other eye injuries)
- Hyphema related to abnormal blood vessels (which can leak and cause intraocular hemorrhage)
- Hyphema associated with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait (where red blood cells can block normal intraocular pressure, raising the risk of permanent vision loss)
What To Expect
Your eye specialist at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease will carefully examine your eye and ask about any recent injuries, health conditions, or symptoms like blurry vision or eye pain. If hyphema is detected, treatment depends on the severity of the condition and your individual risk factors. Options can include:
- Eye Drops: Medications like corticosteroids and dilating drops can reduce the inflammation, ease discomfort, and prevent complications from elevated intraocular pressure.
- Rest and Monitoring: For small hyphemas, your specialist might recommend resting with your head elevated and limiting physical activity while closely monitoring intraocular pressure.
- Anterior Chamber Washout: In some cases, especially in hyphema patients with ongoing bleeding or rising pressure, a surgical procedure called an anterior chamber washout can be performed to remove any blood in the front part of the eye.
- Managing Underlying Conditions: For patients with sickle cell, extra care is taken to prevent complications due to the increased risk of red blood cells blocking fluid drainage, which can raise intraocular pressure.
Throughout treatment, your specialist will monitor for signs of corneal blood staining and check for other issues, such as a broken blood vessel or damage to the cornea. Follow-up visits help track healing and protect your vision.
Potential Risks
As with any eye condition, treating hyphema comes with some risks. These can include elevated intraocular pressure, corneal blood staining, rebleeding, and permanent vision loss. At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, we use advanced tools and techniques to reduce these risks and support your recovery.
Signs You Should Meet with an Eye Specialist
If you experience any of the following, it’s most likely time to schedule an eye evaluation:
- Blood visible in the eye after blunt trauma
- Blurry vision or sudden vision changes
- Eye pain or sensitivity to light
- Feeling of pressure in the eye
- A history of sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait with new vision symptoms
Hyphema Treatment with the Center for Retina and Macular Disease
At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, our team specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of retinal conditions, including hyphema. Using advanced techniques, our goal is to restore your vision and improve your quality of life. Our experienced eye surgeons provide personalized care, ensuring that each patient receives the best possible treatment for their condition.