What is a vitreous hemorrhage?
Vitreous hemorrhage refers to bleeding into the vitreous chamber. Vitreous hemorrhage has an incidence of approximately 7 in 100000 1,2. The most common clinical presentation is with sudden, painless visual loss to varying degrees of severity 2. Associated ‘floaters’ or shadows in the vision have also been reported 2.
What are the treatment options for vitreous haemorrhage?
The treatment of vitreous haemorrhage varies with the cause. Aims of treatment are to: Find the source of the bleeding. Stop the bleeding. Repair any damage to the retina before it results in permanent loss of vision. Restore normal vision.
What is the role of lasers in the treatment of vitreous hemorrhage?
A krypton laser may aid photocoagulation as it passes through hemorrhage better than argon lasers. An indirect laser system may also allow energy delivery to the retina around a vitreous hemorrhage. Alternatively, in the interim, intravitreal anti-VEGF agents may induce regression of the neovascularization until laser photocoagulation is possible.
What is the prognosis of vitreous hemorrhage (VH)?
Blood outside the formed vitreous resolves more quickly. Vitreous hemorrhage is cleared more quickly in syneretic and vitrectomized eyes, and more slowly in younger eyes with well-formed vitreous. The natural history of vitreous hemorrhage depends on the underlying etiology with the worst prognoses for diabetics and AMD patients.
The vitreous is normally a clear, jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of the eye. Various disease states can cause the vitreous to fill with blood so that light entering the eye will not reach the retina properly. Vitreous hemorrhage, or bleed, results in a sudden change in vision as it blocks light moving through the vitreous to the retina.
Are normal signal characteristics not appreciated in vitreous hemorrhage?
These normal signal characteristics are often not appreciated in cases of vitreous hemorrhage 2,3,6,7.
Who is at risk for vitreous hemorrhage (VH)?
The population at risk for vitreous hemorrhage will have the demographic and clinical characteristics according to its causes. For example, poorly controlled diabetics with end-organ damage such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy are at high risk.
Do I need a vitrectomy for vitreous haemorrhage?
Most cases of vitreous haemorrhage do not require vitrectomy. The blood clears slowly from the vitreous, allowing light to pass through it again. If the underlying vision is undamaged then normal vision will be restored. If you experience a vitreous haemorrhage then you will usually be seen by a specialist on the same day.