Traumatic hyphaema: a retrospective study of 314 cases

Epidemiology and outcomes of hyphema: a single tertiary centre experience of 180 cases

PURPOSE

To characterize the epidemiology and outcomes of hyphema.

METHODS

Retrospective case series. Medical records from patients with traumatic and spontaneous hyphema seen at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins, from 2011 through 2017 were evaluated. Aetiology, demographics, clinical characteristics, complications, management and outcomes were ascertained. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), rebleeding and poor outcome (final visual acuity ≤ 20/40) in traumatic hyphema. A safe frequency of follow-up was retrospectively determined.

RESULTS

Traumatic hyphema (n = 152) was more common in males (78%) and adults (55%), with sports/recreational activities being the most frequent cause (40%). Elevated IOP was the most common complication (39%). Rebleeding occurred in seven patients (5%) and was more likely with a higher IOP on presentation (OR:1.1; p = 0.004). Thirty-seven patients (24%) had a poor outcome, mostly due to traumatic sequelae such as cataract (32%) or posterior segment involvement (30%). A poor outcome was more likely with worse presenting visual acuity (OR: 9.1; p = 0.001), rebleeding (OR: 37.5; p = 0.035) and age > 60 years (OR: 16.0; p = 0.041). Spontaneous hyphema (n = 28) did not have a gender predominance and was more common in adults > 60 years (71%). The most common cause was iris neovascularization (61%). Complications and visual outcomes were worse compared with traumatic hyphema.

CONCLUSIONS

Traumatic hyphema continues to be common in young males engaging in sports, necessitating increased awareness for preventive eyewear. Older age and rebleeding can lead to poor outcomes. Elevated IOP at presentation predisposes to rebleeding and warrants frequent follow-up. Otherwise, routine follow-up at days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 is sufficient for uncomplicated cases.

Clinical features, management and visual outcomes on patients with traumatic hyphema in a reference ophthalmological clinic in Colombia

Aim. To analyze clinical features, treatment, and results of patients with non-penetrating traumatic hyphema in an ophthalmological center in Colombia. Methods. A retrospective cohort study in which medical records of patients with traumatic hyphema were analyzed between 2013 and 2018. Results. 38 eyes of 37 patients (34 men, 3 women) were included. Average age was 30.6 ± 16.6 years. Sports-related (42.1%) and occupational accidents (34.2%) were the main causes. 67.5% of the eyes had grade I hyphema. 95% received topical corticosteroids, 92.1% topical mydriatics and 52.63% ocular hypotensive eyedrops. Two eyes with hyphema grade I did not receive steroids and resolved uneventfully. None of the eyes rebleeded, even without antifibrinolytics. One patient with grade IV hyphema required surgery. Mean hyphema's clearance time was 8.4 ± 3.2 days. The last mean corrected distance visual acuity was LogMAR 0.25. There were no complications directly related to the hyphema. Conclusions. Working related activities were the second cause of traumatic hyphema in our cohort, which might be attributable to poor awareness of the importance or ocular protection, or limited access to recommended protective devices. Outpatient management enabled adequate outcomes. Corticosteroids and mydriatics were the treatment cornerstone, though seemed not to be imperative when hyphema was grade I. We were not able to support the contributive role from antifibrinolytics, because none of our patients rebleeded in spite of the absence of them. Abbreviations: IOP = intraocular pressure, AC = anterior chamber, CDVA = corrected distance visual acuity.

Controversies in the pathophysiology and management of hyphema

Traumatic hyphemas present dilemmas to physicians. There are numerous controversies pertaining to the optimal approach to traumatic hyphema and no standardized guidelines for its management. We address some of these controversies and present a pragmatic approach. We discuss various medical agents and surgical techniques available for treatment, along with the indications for their use. We address the complications associated with hyphema and how to diagnose and manage them and consider the management of hyphema in special situations such as in children and sickle-cell anemia and in rare clinical syndromes such as recurrent hyphema after placement of anterior chamber intraocular lenses.

The injured eye

Eye injuries come at a high cost to society and are avoidable. Ocular blast injuries can be primary, from the blast wave itself; secondary, from fragments carried by the blast wind; tertiary; due to structural collapse or being thrown against a fixed object; or quaternary, from burns and indirect injuries. Ballistic eye protection significantly reduces the incidence of eye injuries and should be encouraged from an early stage in Military training. Management of an injured eye requires meticulous history taking, evaluation of vision that measures the acuity and if there is a relative pupillary defect as well as careful inspection of the eyes, under anaesthetic if necessary. A lateral canthotomy with cantholysis should be performed immediately if there is a sight-threatening retrobulbar haemorrhage. Systemic antibiotics should be prescribed if there is a suspected penetrating or perforating injury. A ruptured globe should be protected by an eye shield. Primary repair of ruptured globes should be performed in a timely fashion. Secondary procedures will often be required at a later date to achieve sight preservation. A poor initial visual acuity is not a guarantee of a poor final result. The final result can be predicted after approximately 3-4 weeks. Future research in eye injuries attempts to reduce scarring and neuronal damage as well as to promote photoreceptor rescue, using post-transcriptional inhibition of cell death pathways and vaccination to promote neural recovery. Where the sight has been lost sensory substitution of a picture from a spectacle mounted video camera to the touch receptors of the tongue can be used to achieve appreciation of the outside world.

Hyphema due to blunt injury: a review of 118 patients

AIM

To determine the causes, associated ocular findings and visual acuity on presentation, complications and visual outcome following treatment in patients of hyphema due to blunt injury

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed in 118 patients with hyphema due to blunt injury admitted in University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The gender, age, race, cause of blunt injury resulting in hyphema, eye involved, vision at admission, other associated ophthalmological findings, complications and visual outcome were noted from the case records of patients. The data were analyzed using SPSS programme.

RESULTS

Males were more predominantly affected (93.2%). Two-thirds of patients (67.8%) were aged below 30 years. Sports related injury (38.1%) was the most common cause for hyphema. Hyphema disappeared within 5 days in 66.9% of patients. Iris injuries were very commonly associated in the form of mydriasis, sphincter tear and iridodialysis. Associated vitreous haemorrhage was noted in 11.9% of patients. During the hospital stay, secondary haemorrhage was observed in 3.4% of patients. The best corrected vision of 6/18 or better was noted in 85.4% of patients at the last follow-up. The follow-up of these subjects was very poor and thus the incidence of secondary glaucoma could not be established. Moderate blood staining of cornea occurred in 0.8% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Sports related injury is the most common cause of hyphema in Malaysia. Good visual recovery, without serious complications, is possible with appropriate and in-time treatment in hyphema patients due to blunt injury.

Traumatic hyphaema: a report of 472 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

Strategies for prevention of eye injuries require knowledge of the cause of the injuries. This study was done to determine the patient characteristics, the cause of injury, and where cases of traumatic hyphaema that necessitated admission to a tertiary hospital occurred. This may enable an appropriate intervention in the prevention of such injuries.

METHODS

Retrospective case analysis of 472 patients with traumatic hyphaema admitted to the University College Hospital, Ibadan between January 1997 and December 2006.

RESULTS

The home was the single most frequent place of injury for all cases and for 75% of cases in children aged 0-10 years. Injuries that occurred at school comprised about one-fifth of cases. Sport-related injuries were uncommon. The most common activities preceding injuries were play, corporal punishment and assault. Stones, sticks and whiplash were the agents that caused traumatic hyphaema. Occupational-related hyphaema that caused injuries was mostly in farmers and artisans, few of whom used protective goggles. The majority of patients were males. Children and young adults aged <or= 20 years comprised 63.6% of patients. A total of 336 (76%) eyes had at least one surgical intervention. While 298 (73.2%) patients had visual acuity (VA) less than 6/60 at presentation, 143 (37.0%) of eyes had visual acuity (VA) < 6/60 3 months after injury.

CONCLUSION

The injuries leading to traumatic hyphaema occur mostly at home and school, and frequently affect children and young adolescents. Over one-third resulted in blindness in the affected eye. The focus should be on prevention of stick-related eye injuries at these locations and improving access to eye health services for patients who sustained eye injuries.

A five-year retrospective study of the epidemiological characteristics and visual outcomes of patients hospitalized for ocular trauma in a Mediterranean area

Background

To determine the epidemiological characteristics and visual outcome of ocular trauma in southern Italy.

Methods

All cases of ocular trauma admitted to Department of Ophthalmology of Palermo University, Italy, from January 2001–December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed for open- or closed-globe injury (OGI or CGI). Data extracted included age, sex, residence, initial and final visual acuity (VA), cause and treatment of injury, hospitalization. The injuries were classified by Ocular Trauma Classification System (OTCS) and Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT). We also referred to the Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) in evaluating the final visual outcome.

Results

Of the 298 eyes, there were 146 OGI and 152 CGI. Fifty eyes (16.8%) had an intraocular foreign body (IOFB). The annual incidence of eye injuries was 4.9 per 100,000. Most injuries occurred in men (84.6%, p < 0.0005), with an average age of 33.0 vs. 49.9 for women (p = 0.005). Cause of injury differed significantly by gender (p = 0.001) and urban vs. rural location (p = 0.009). The most frequent causes in men were outdoor activities related injuries (30.9%), work-related (25.4%), and sport-related (17.5%), and in women were home-related (52.2%) and outdoor activities related injuries (30.4%). In urban areas, road accidents were more frequent; in rural areas, work-related injuries were more frequent with a greater rate of IOFBs than in urban areas (p = 0.002).

The incidence of OGI and CGI differed in work-related injuries (p < 0.0005), sport-related injuries (p < 0.0005), and assaults (p = 0.033). The final visual acuity was 20/40 (6/12) or better in 144 eyes (48.3%), 20/40–20/200 (6/12–6/60) in 90 eyes (30.2%), and <20/200 (6/60) or less in 46 eyes (15.5%). Eighteen eyes (6%) had a final acuity of no light perception. Of those eyes that presented with hand motion vision or better, 220 (86.6%) had a final vision of better than 20/200 (6/60). Initial visual acuity was found to be correlated with final visual acuity (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.658; p < 0.001). The likelihood of the final visual acuities in the OTS categories was correlated to that of the OTS study group in 12 of 14 cases (85.7%).

Conclusion

This analysis provides insight into the epidemiology of patients hospitalized for ocular trauma. The findings indicate that ocular trauma is a significant cause of visual loss in this population.

Epidemiology of open- and closed-globe trauma presenting to Cairns Base Hospital, Queensland

PURPOSE

To review the epidemiology of serious ocular trauma presenting to Cairns Base Hospital, from the far north Queensland health districts.

METHODS

A retrospective study of cases from January 1995 to November 2002 inclusive. Cases were analysed with respect to demographics, cause and nature of injury, method of transport and time to and type of ophthalmic treatment, and visual outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 226 cases identified, including 71 open-globe and 155 closed-globe injuries. The annual rate of injury was 3.7 per 100 000 for open-globe and 11.8 per 100 000 in total. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population from the far north Queensland districts showed a disproportionate incidence, with 38% of the total number of injuries, despite representing only 12.3% of the population. Assault in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population resulted in 69.6% of injuries in men and 75.8% of injuries in women. Of all assaults 76.2% were alcohol-related. The majority (71.5%) of injuries in the Caucasian population were due to accidental blunt and sharp trauma. In total, 77.4% of injuries occurred in men, with an average age of 31 years. Of all open and closed injuries in the study, a final visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 47.8% of eyes and a final visual acuity of 6/60 or less occurred in 17.7% of patients, 20.8% patients were lost to follow up. In total, 14.1% of open injuries required enucleation/evisceration.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of ocular trauma in far north Queensland is equal to other Australian populations. However, there is a disproportionately high incidence in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Alcohol-related assault is a significant cause of visual loss in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Closed-globe injuries are more common than open globe; however, the latter have poorer visual prognosis. Initial visual acuity of all injuries correlated with final visual acuity.

Outpatient management of traumatic microhyphema

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to evaluate the clinical course of patients treated for traumatic microhyphema and the occurrence of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and secondary hemorrhage in these patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Records of all patients treated for traumatic microhyphema through the Wills Eye Hospital Emergency Department from January 1997 through September 1999 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients examined for 3 consecutive days after presentation and 2 weeks after initial presentation were included. Patients with open-globe injury were excluded. A total of 162 patients met the study criteria.

INTERVENTION

All patients were treated initially as outpatients according to the standard Wills Eye Hospital protocol for traumatic microhyphema (atropinization, bedrest, shield, restriction of antiplatelet medications). Three patients were subsequently hospitalized.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The occurrence of IOP elevation (greater than 21 mmHg) and rebleeding was recorded. The effect of topical corticosteroids was evaluated.

RESULTS

IOP was elevated in 14 patients. Six patients had IOP less than 26 mmHg and required no treatment. Six patients had IOP greater than 26 mmHg and received medical treatment. In two patients, IOP increased after initial presentation. Of 150 patients with normal IOP at presentation, only one (0.7%) developed an elevated IOP at any point to warrant treatment (28 mmHg). Rebleeding was documented in three patients, one of whom developed a layered hyphema. The incidence of rebleeding was not statistically associated with the use of topical corticosteroids.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications from traumatic microhyphema treated with standard measures are few. Closeness of follow-up may be determined by IOP on presentation. Secondary hemorrhage seems to be unaffected by the use of topical corticosteroids.

Management of traumatic hyphema

Hyphema (blood in the anterior chamber) can occur after blunt or lacerating trauma, after intraocular surgery, spontaneously (e.g., in conditions such as rubeosis iridis, juvenile xanthogranuloma, iris melanoma, myotonic dystrophy, keratouveitis (e.g., herpes zoster), leukemia, hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and in association with the use of substances that alter platelet or thrombin function (e.g., ethanol, aspirin, warfarin). The purpose of this review is to consider the management of hyphemas that occur after closed globe trauma. Complications of traumatic hyphema include increased intraocular pressure, peripheral anterior synechiae, optic atrophy, corneal bloodstaining, secondary hemorrhage, and accommodative impairment. The reported incidence of secondary anterior chamber hemorrhage, that is, rebleeding, in the setting of traumatic hyphema ranges from 0% to 38%. The risk of secondary hemorrhage may be higher in African-Americans than in whites. Secondary hemorrhage is generally thought to convey a worse visual prognosis, although the outcome may depend more directly on the size of the hyphema and the severity of associated ocular injuries. Some issues involved in managing a patient with hyphema are: use of various medications (e.g., cycloplegics, systemic or topical steroids, antifibrinolytic agents, analgesics, and antiglaucoma medications); the patient's activity level; use of a patch and shield; outpatient vs. inpatient management; and medical vs. surgical management. Special considerations obtain in managing children, patients with hemoglobin S, and patients with hemophilia. It is important to identify and treat associated ocular injuries, which often accompany traumatic hyphema. We consider each of these management issues and refer to the pertinent literature in formulating the following recommendations. We advise routine use of topical cycloplegics and corticosteroids, systemic antifibrinolytic agents or corticosteroids, and a rigid shield. We recommend activity restriction (quiet ambulation) and interdiction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. If there is no concern regarding compliance (with medication use or activity restrictions), follow-up, or increased risk for complications (e.g., history of sickle cell disease, hemophilia), outpatient management can be offered. Indications for surgical intervention include the presence of corneal blood staining or dangerously increased intraocular pressure despite maximum tolerated medical therapy, among others.

Comparison of tranexamic acid and prednisolone in the treatment of traumatic hyphema. A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

Oral antifibrinolytics, oral steroids, and no oral treatment are the preferred medical treatments for traumatic hyphema. Antifibrinolytics and steroids have decreased the chance of rebleeding in some studies but failed to alter the clinical course in others. Rate of secondary hemorrhage seems variable among different geographic and ethnic groups of patients. Comparison of the treatments in each population is necessary to document the most effective method of preventing recurrent hemorrhage.

DESIGN

Randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred thirty-eight patients in whom hyphema developed after a blunt trauma entered the study.

INTERVENTION

Eighty patients received 75 mg/kg per day oral tranexamic acid (TA) divided into 3 doses, 80 patients received a placebo with the same number of tablets and frequency as those of the TA group, and 78 patients received 0.75 mg/kg per day oral prednisolone divided into 2 doses.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Secondary hemorrhage during the hospital course was measured.

RESULTS

Secondary hemorrhage occurred in 8 patients (10%) of the TA group, 14 patients (18%) of the prednisolone group, and 21 patients (26%) of the placebo group. The difference between the incidence of rebleeding between TA and placebo groups was statistically significant (P = 0.008). Patients receiving a placebo had a greater chance of secondary bleeding than did patients receiving TA (odds ratios = 3.2; 95% confidence interval = 1.3, 7.5). The incidences of rebleeding were not significantly different in placebo versus prednisolone groups (P = 0.21) and TA versus prednisolone groups (P = 0.15).

CONCLUSION

In a population with a high rate of secondary bleeding, TA is more effective than oral prednisolone or no oral treatment in preventing rebleeding among patients with traumatic hyphema.

An analysis of risk for secondary hemorrhage in traumatic hyphema

OBJECTIVE

Factors such as size of hyphema, intraocular pressure, initial visual acuity, and use of steroids or antifibrinolytic drugs may be associated with the likelihood of rebleeding in traumatic hyphema. The association of the visual outcome with secondary hemorrhage has been questioned.

DESIGN

Randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred and thirty-eight patients who had hyphema develop after blunt trauma.

INTERVENTION

Eighty patients received oral tranexamic acid, 80 patients received placebo, and 78 patients received oral prednisolone.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Secondary hemorrhage and vision at the time of discharge from the hospital were measured.

RESULTS

Rebleeding occurred in 43 (18%) of the patients and was prevented significantly by oral tranexamic acid compared with the placebo (odds ratios [OR] = 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17, 0.89). Occurrence of secondary hemorrhage had weak associations with initial high intraocular pressure (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 0.99, 7.3) and initial visual acuity of 6/60 or less (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 0.9, 3.7). Secondary hemorrhage had no statistical association with age, gender, oral prednisolone, size of hyphema, and retinal damage. Visual acuity of 6/60 or less at the time of discharge was significantly associated with rebleeding (OR = 10.5; 95% CI, 3.7, 29.2), initial visual acuity of 6/60 or less (OR = 9.9; 95% CI, 2.8, 38.0), retinal damage (OR = 14.6; 95% CI, 3.8, 55.8), and male gender (OR = 6.5; 95% CI, 1.4, 31.9). Final visual acuity had no significant statistical association with age, use of oral prednisolone or tranexamic acid, and size of hyphema.

CONCLUSIONS

High intraocular pressure and low vision at the time of first examination may be associated with increased chance of rebleeding. Retinal damage, secondary hemorrhage, male gender, and initial poor vision are associated with a worse visual outcome in patients with traumatic hyphema.

Traumatic hyphema: outcomes of outpatient management

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of outpatient and inpatient management of layered hyphema.

DESIGN

The charts of all patients with traumatic layered hyphema treated in the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Emergency Ward between January 1991 and November 1995 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with a diagnosis of microscopic hyphema, ruptured globe, or posterior segment injury other than commotio retinae on their initial emergency department visit were excluded. The study patients were compared with an historic control group of patients with hyphema who had been treated at the same institution from July 1986 to February 1989.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 154 patients met the study criteria. These were compared with 119 patients in the historic control group.

INTERVENTION

Of the study patients, 5% were admitted on the day of presentation, 95% were treated initially as outpatients, and 4% subsequently were admitted. All of the patients in the historic control group were treated with initial hospital admission.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The rebleed rates of the study and control groups were compared. The final recorded visual acuity and causes of best-corrected visual acuity worse than 20/30 were analyzed for the study group.

RESULTS

The rebleed rates of the study group and the historic control group were 4.5% and 5.0%, respectively (P > 0.05). The rebleed rates of the study patients initially treated as outpatients and the historic control group were 3.4% and 5%, respectively (P > 0.05). The rebleed rates of study patients who did not receive aminocaproic acid and the subset of historic control patients who received aminocaproic acid were 3.3% and 4.8%, respectively (P > 0.05). Ninety-six percent of study patients achieved a final best-corrected visual acuity of 20/30 or better. Causes of a final documented visual acuity worse than 20/30 included loss of patient follow-up before resolution of the hyphema, traumatic cataract, macular hole, and macular degeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

In the authors' predominantly white patient population, close outpatient follow-up of traumatic hyphemas appears to be safe and effective. Hospitalization for hyphema does not appear to decrease the rate of rebleeding. Decreased vision in the setting of traumatic hyphema generally results from comorbidities not affected by inpatient management.

A system for classifying mechanical injuries of the eye (globe). The Ocular Trauma Classification Group

PURPOSE

To develop a classification system for mechanical injuries of the eye.

METHODS

The Ocular Trauma Classification Group, a committee of 13 ophthalmologists from seven separate institutions, was organized to discuss the standardization of ocular trauma classification. To develop the classification system, the group reviewed trauma classification systems in ophthalmology and general medicine and, in detail, reports on the characteristics and outcomes of eye trauma, then established a classification system based on standard terminology and features of eye injuries at initial examination that have demonstrated prognostic significance.

RESULTS

This system classifies both open-globe and closed-globe injuries according to four separate variables: type of injury, based on the mechanism of injury; grade of injury, defined by visual acuity in the injured eye at initial examination; pupil, defined as the presence or absence of a relative afferent pupillary defect in the injured eye; and zone of injury, based on the anteroposterior extent of the injury. This system is designed to be used by ophthalmologists and nonophthalmologists who care for patients or conduct research on ocular injuries. An ocular injury is classified during the initial examination or at the time of the primary surgical intervention and does not require extraordinary testing.

CONCLUSIONS

This classification system will categorize ocular injuries at the time of initial examination. It is designed to promote the use of standard terminology and assessment, with applications to clinical management and research stud ies regarding eye injuries.

Meta-analysis of systemic anti-fibrinolytics in traumatic hyphaema

We report a meta-analysis of randomised, controlled, clinical trials of systemic anti-fibrinolytics in traumatic hyphaema. Outcome measures were rate of secondary haemorrhage and final visual acuity. An estimate of the overall odds ratio for each outcome measure was calculated both by combining the logarithms of the odds ratios, and by the Mantel-Haenszel method. The results confirm a beneficial effect of systemic antifibrinolytics on the rate of secondary haemorrhage, but not on final visual acuity.

The medical management of traumatic hyphaema: a survey of opinion among ophthalmologists in the UK

Current attitudes to the medical management of traumatic hyphaema were investigated by means of a postal survey. A single page questionnaire was sent to all consultant ophthalmologists in the UK who were members of the college of ophthalmologists. The response rate was 50%. Opinion was sharply divided on the use of bed rest, padding and topical therapy. However, there was almost universal agreement that systemic therapy, either steroids or antifibrinolytics, were not indicated.

The Medical Management of Traumatic Hyphaema: A Survey of Opinion among Ophthalmologists in the UK

Current attitudes to the medical management of traumatic hyphaema were investigated by means of a postal survey. A single page questionnaire was sent to all consultant ophthalmologists in the UK who were members of the college of ophthalmologists. The response rate was 50%. Opinion was sharply divided on the use of bed rest, padding and topical therapy. However, there was almost universal agreement that systemic therapy, either steroids or antifibrinolytics, were not indicated.

Outpatient management of small traumatic hyphaemas: is it safe?

In this prospective study patients with small traumatic hyphaemas were managed as ambulatory outpatients. No routine systemic or topical treatment was given. The patients were reviewed daily in the Casualty Department until the blood had cleared, after which they were examined fully. The incidence of rebleeding and the number of days for the blood to clear were comparable to figures for hospitalised bed-bound patients. Nine patients (21%) defaulted from follow-up. Outpatient management of small traumatic hyphaemas is safe in compliant patients and may save valuable resources.

Factors related to the final visual outcome of 425 patients with traumatic hyphema

A retrospective study of the visual outcome of 425 in-patients with traumatic hyphaema has been conducted. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that after adjusting for age, sex and pre-existing poor vision, the size of hyphaema on presentation and the presence of retinal damage were significant predictors of a worse final visual outcome (p = 0.00003 and 0.00001 respectively). Topical steroid and/or cycloplegic medication, and the occurrence of secondary haemorrhage did not influence the final visual outcome after adjustment for the other variables. These data illustrate, in an unselected sequential population of patients, the role of these factors in terms of final visual outcome following hyphaema from blunt ocular trauma.

Factors related to the incidence of secondary haemorrhage in 462 patients with traumatic hyphema

In a retrospective study of 462 in-patients with traumatic hyphema, secondary haemorrhage occurred in 8.7% of patients. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the size of hyphaema on presentation and the presence of retinal damage did not affect the probability of secondary haemorrhage. The incidence of secondary haemorrhage was found to decrease by approximately half with the use of topical steroid (p = 0.005), but did not appear to be influenced by the use of cycloplegics. These data indicate in an unselected sequential population of patients, the therapeutic importance of topical steroid in the treatment of blunt ocular trauma.

Secondary hemorrhage in traumatic hyphema

We analyzed the records of 132 patients hospitalized between July 1986 and February 1989 for management of traumatic hyphema. The incidence of secondary hemorrhage was compared between patients treated with or without systemic administration of aminocaproic acid in addition to an otherwise identical protocol. Results among patients who were examined within one day of injury disclosed a 4.8% secondary hemorrhage rate in aminocaproic acid-treated patients (three of 63 patients) compared with a 5.4% rate in the patients not treated with aminocaproic acid (three of 56 patients, P = .31). All six patients sustaining secondary hemorrhage recovered visual acuities of 20/40 or better, with five of six patients achieving 20/20 visual acuities. A separate group of 13 patients who were examined more than one day after injury were found to have a secondary hemorrhage rate of 38.5% (five of 13 patients). Macular injury, not secondary hemorrhage, was most often responsible among those patients suffering permanent visual loss. In this study of a predominantly white population, patients had a relatively low incidence of secondary hemorrhage and did not demonstrate detectable benefit from aminocaproic acid administration. Because of the recognized side effects and cost of treatment, further analysis to determine which patients will benefit from treatment with aminocaproic acid is indicated.