Hyphemia is the
medical name for bleeding in the
eyeball. It is caused by the
rupture of
blood vessels in the
eye. This is usually due to a blow to
face or
head. However, people whose blood has stopped clotting properly due to their taking certain medications (like
coumadin or
heparin) or who have diseases like
diabetes or
hemophilia that can weaken the eye's vessels can spontaneously develop eyeball bleeds.
Symptoms of hyphemia include watery eyes, pain, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and/or blurred vision. Most people who get hyphemias are under the age of 20. If the bleeding is bad, it can cause glaucoma (which can rapidly lead to damage to the optic nerve) or an 8-ball hemorrhage.
Treatment includes keeping the eye covered, limiting the patients' activity, having them sleep with their head elevated, and giving them medication to control increased pressure in the eye. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.