Hyphema (Bleeding in Eye)
Medical Author:
John D. Sheppard, MD, MMSc
Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Hyphema (Bleeding in Eye) OverviewBlunt trauma to the eye can cause bleeding in the front (or anterior chamber) of the eye between the cornea and the iris. This bleeding into the anterior chamber of the eye is called a hyphema. The anterior chamber of the eye contains a clear liquid fluid called aqueous humor. The aqueous humor is secreted by the ciliary processes in the posterior chamber of the eye. The aqueous humor passes through the pupil into the anterior chamber. The aqueous humor provides important nutrition to the inner structures of the eye. Viewer Comments & ReviewsHyphema (Bleeding in Eye) - CausesThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What was the cause of your hyphema? |
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Hyphema (Bleeding in Eye)
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is usually high pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve and can result in permanent vision loss. Not all 3 criteria (that is, high pressure inside the eye, optic nerve damage, and vision loss) are required to diagnose glaucoma; however, a diagnosis of glaucoma is certain when all 3 criteria are present.
What causes high pressure inside the eye?
High pressure inside the eye is caused by an imbalance in the production and drainage of fluid in the eye (aqueous humor). The channels that normally drain the fluid from inside the eye do not function properly or are blocked. More fluid is continually being produced but cannot be drained because of the improperly functioning or blocked drainage channels. This results in an increased amount of fluid inside the eye, thus raising the pressure.
Another way to think of high pressure inside the eye is to imagine a water balloon. The more water tha...
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Hyphema »
Postinjury accumulation of blood in the anterior chamber is one of the most challenging clinical problems encountered by the ophthalmologist.
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