Hyphema Blood in the Eye (Photo)

This photo shows a hyphema in the eye. This is when blood fills the anterior chamber of the eye, usually after traumatic blunt injury. Hyphemas are usually self-limited and can be treated with steroids and cycloplegics, though the pressure needs to be monitored carefully to avoid glaucomatous damage.

One thing to watch for with large hyphemas like this one is corneal blood staining. The high ocular pressure can push RBC produts into the corneal stroma and stain it red, reducing visual potential. This stain usually goes away, but perhaps not for a long time. Large hyphemas with high pressure may thus be an indication for an anterior chamber washout.

To see this eye in better detail, you may want to watch our hyphema paracentesis glaucoma video in which a super-blade is used to decrease the eye pressure by draining excess fluid from a side incision.