Hyphema - a pooling or collection of blood inside the anterior chamber of the eye .

Introduction
Injury to the anterior chamber that disrupts the vasculature supporting the iris or ciliary body results in a hyphema.
The blood tends to layer with time, and if left undisturbed, gravity will form a visible meniscus.

Definition: A hyphema is a pooling or collection of blood inside the anterior chamber of the eye (the space between the cornea and the iris).

                    Hyphema. This hyphema has completely layered out in the anterior chamber.

Clinical Symptoms can include

• pain, 
• photophobia, and possibly blurred vision secondary to obstructing blood cells. 
• Nausea and vomiting may signal a rise in intraocular pressure (glaucoma) caused by blood cells
• clogging the trabecular meshwork.

                Hyphema. This hyphema is just beginning to layer out, reflecting its acute nature

Management

• Prevention of further hemorrhage is the foremost treatment goal. 
• Most rebleeding occurs within the first 72 hours and is usually more extensive than the initial event. Keep the patient at rest in the supine position with the head elevated slightly. 
• Use a hard eye shield to prevent further trauma from manipulation. 
• Avoid oral or parenteral pain medication and sedatives with antiplatelet activity such as NSAIDs. 
• Use antiemetics if the patient has nausea.
• Further treatment at the discretion of specialty consultants may include topical and oral steroids, antifibrinolytics such as aminocaproic acid, or surgery. 
• Measure intraocular pressure (IOP) unless there is a suspicion of penetrating injury to the globe. 
• Treat elevated IOP with appropriate agents, including topical β-blockers, pilocarpine, and, if needed,
• osmotic agents (mannitol, sorbitol) and acetazolamide.
• Ophthalmologic consultation is warranted to determine local admission practices.

            “Eight-Ball” Hyphema. This hyphema completely fills the anterior chamber.

Clinical Pearls

1. Instruct patients specifically not to read or watch television, as these activities result in greater than usual ocular activity.

2. Rebleeding may occur in 10% to 20% of patients, most commonly in the first 2 to 5 days when the blood clots start to retract.

3. An “eight-ball” or total hyphema often leads to elevated IOP and corneal blood staining, and typically requires surgical evacuation

4. Patients with sickle cell and other hemoglobinopathies are at risk for sickling of blood inside the anterior chamber. This can cause a rise in IOP caused by obstruction of the trabecular meshwork even if only a small hyphema is present.

5. An abnormally low IOP should prompt consideration for presence of penetrating globe injury.

6. Evaluate supine trauma patients for slight differences in iris color to determine the presence of a hyphema.