Hyphema: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:52, 13 February 2025

An overview of hyphema, its causes, symptoms, and treatment

Hyphema

Hyphema is a medical condition characterized by the presence of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye, the space between the cornea and the iris. It is often the result of trauma to the eye but can also occur spontaneously in certain medical conditions.

Causes

Hyphema is most commonly caused by blunt or penetrating trauma to the eye. Other causes include:

Post-surgical complications
Blood clotting disorders
Neovascularization
Ocular tumors
Herpes zoster or herpes simplex infections

Symptoms

The primary symptom of hyphema is the visible presence of blood in the anterior chamber. Other symptoms may include:

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of hyphema is typically made through a clinical examination by an ophthalmologist. This may include:

Slit lamp examination
Tonometry to measure intraocular pressure
Gonioscopy to examine the drainage angle of the eye

Treatment

Treatment of hyphema depends on the severity and underlying cause. Common approaches include:

Bed rest with head elevation
Use of an eye shield
Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
Cycloplegic agents to relieve pain
Antifibrinolytic agents to prevent re-bleeding

In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the blood and prevent complications such as glaucoma.

Complications

Potential complications of hyphema include:

Prevention

Preventive measures for hyphema primarily involve protecting the eyes from trauma. This includes wearing protective eyewear during activities that pose a risk of eye injury.

Related pages

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Hyphema''' is a medical condition characterized by the presence of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye, which is the space between the cornea and the iris. This condition is often caused by trauma to the eye, but can also occur as a result of certain medical conditions or surgical procedures.
+{{Short description|An overview of hyphema, its causes, symptoms, and treatment}}
+==Hyphema==
+[[File:Total_hyphema.jpg|thumb|right|A total hyphema, where the anterior chamber is completely filled with blood.]]
+'''Hyphema''' is a medical condition characterized by the presence of blood in the [[anterior chamber]] of the [[eye]], the space between the [[cornea]] and the [[iris]]. It is often the result of trauma to the eye but can also occur spontaneously in certain medical conditions.
 ==Causes==
-The most common cause of hyphema is trauma to the eye, such as a blow or a penetrating injury. Other causes can include [[abnormal blood vessels]] in the eye, [[bleeding disorders]], [[cancer of the eye]], or complications from eye surgery.
+Hyphema is most commonly caused by blunt or penetrating trauma to the eye. Other causes include:
+* [[Surgery|Post-surgical]] complications
+* [[Blood clotting disorders]]
+* [[Neovascularization]]
+* [[Ocular tumors]]
+* [[Herpes zoster]] or [[herpes simplex]] infections
 ==Symptoms==
-Symptoms of hyphema can vary depending on the severity of the condition. They can include:
+The primary symptom of hyphema is the visible presence of blood in the anterior chamber. Other symptoms may include:
 * [[Blurred vision]]
-* [[Pain in the eye]]
+* [[Eye pain]]
-* [[Sensitivity to light]]
+* [[Photophobia]] (sensitivity to light)
-* [[Blood in the eye]]
+* [[Increased intraocular pressure]]
-* [[Vision loss]]
 ==Diagnosis==
-Diagnosis of hyphema typically involves a thorough examination of the eye by an [[ophthalmologist]]. This can include a [[slit lamp examination]], which allows the doctor to view the structures of the eye in detail. Other tests may include a [[visual acuity test]], to measure the sharpness of vision, and an [[intraocular pressure test]], to measure the pressure inside the eye.
+Diagnosis of hyphema is typically made through a clinical examination by an [[ophthalmologist]]. This may include:
+* [[Slit lamp examination]]
+* [[Tonometry]] to measure intraocular pressure
+* [[Gonioscopy]] to examine the drainage angle of the eye
 ==Treatment==
-Treatment for hyphema depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases may simply require rest and the use of over-the-counter pain medication. More severe cases may require hospitalization, to monitor the condition and prevent further complications. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the blood from the eye.
+Treatment of hyphema depends on the severity and underlying cause. Common approaches include:
+* [[Bed rest]] with head elevation
+* Use of an [[eye shield]]
+* [[Topical corticosteroids]] to reduce inflammation
+* [[Cycloplegic agents]] to relieve pain
+* [[Antifibrinolytic agents]] to prevent re-bleeding
+In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the blood and prevent complications such as [[glaucoma]].
+==Complications==
+Potential complications of hyphema include:
+* [[Re-bleeding]]
+* [[Corneal blood staining]]
+* [[Glaucoma]]
+* [[Permanent vision loss]]
 ==Prevention==
-Prevention of hyphema primarily involves protecting the eyes from injury. This can include wearing protective eyewear during activities that could potentially cause eye injury, such as sports or certain types of work.
+Preventive measures for hyphema primarily involve protecting the eyes from trauma. This includes wearing protective eyewear during activities that pose a risk of eye injury.
-==See also==
+==Related pages==
 * [[Eye injury]]
-* [[Eye diseases]]
+* [[Glaucoma]]
-* [[Eye surgery]]
+* [[Ophthalmology]]
+[[Category:Ophthalmology]]
 [[Category:Eye diseases]]
-[[Category:Medical conditions]]
-[[Category:Ophthalmology]]
-{{stub}}