Rebleeding or secondary haemorrhage following traumatic hyphema.

ABSTRACT

Rebleeding or secondary haemorrhage is a serious complication following traumatic hyphema, it occurs with a frequency of between 6-38%. Secondary haemorrhage most often takes place between the 2nd and 6th day after the primary trauma. All patients with traumatic hyphemas seen here from 1st January 1985 to 31st December 1985 were admitted to the hospital on a prospective study protocol. Patients were included consecutively with the exception of those with suspected penetrating ocular injuries 15 cases. The determination of the visual acuity, the extent of the hyphema was categorized as follows Group 1, small hyphema with blood occupying less than one third of the anterior chamber. Group 2, hyphema occupying one third to one half the anterior chamber. Group 3, hyphema of greater than one half to less than the anterior chamber. Group 4, total hyphema. The treatment regimens included absolute bed rest, patching that eye, no aspirin, no mydriatics or miotics, no prednisolone, no antifibrinolytic agents, tranquilizer; if increase intraocular pressure, Diamox 1 gm. orally; if there were complications such as glaucoma, blood-stained cornea, paracentesis were performed. Of 93 patients with traumatic hyphena, male 84 (90.32%), female 9 (9.68%), age 3-70 years (mean 22.24 yrs.). Rebleeding during hospitalization 3 (3.22%), if included presumed preadmission rebleeds 5, rebleed in this study total 8 (8.60%). Increased intraocular pressure and paracentesis were performed every cases of rebleeding, but the final visual acuity was 6/60 in only case (12.5%).