Hyphema (hi-FEE-muh) is bleeding in the space between the
cornea and the iris of your eye. A mild hyphema usually
disappears in 1 week. If the injury is serious, you may develop
long-term eye problems.
Causes
Injury to the eye, especially in
sports.
Signs/Symptoms
Typical symptoms include eye
pain, blurring or loss of vision, and blood in the white of the
eye.
Care
The doctor will probably
prescribe an eye shield. Resting the eye is very important.
Surgery may be needed if other treatment does not
work.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Follow your doctor's directions carefully. Otherwise,
the injury may start to bleed again and you might
experience a permanent loss of vision.
Rest in bed as much as possible until the doctor says
you may resume your normal activities. Lie on your back and
use two pillows to keep your head elevated. You may get up
to go to the bathroom, eat, and bathe.
You may use acetaminophen for pain control, but do
not use aspirin or ibuprofen.
If you are wearing an eye shield, do not remove it
until your doctor gives you the
go-ahead.
Do not do things that require close eye movement such
as reading and playing hand-held video games. You may watch
TV.
Do not bend forward or lower your head until the
hyphema clears up. Your doctor will tell you when you can
resume lifting or engaging in strenuous
activities.
Wearing protective eye guards helps prevent hyphema
and other sports-related eye injuries. This is especially
important when playing racquet sports.
Seek Care Immediately If...
There is more blood in your eye than before, you have
trouble seeing, or your eye pain gets worse. These may be
signs that your eye is starting to bleed
again.
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