Author: Jared Scott, MD

Educational Pearls:

• A hyphema is blood in the anterior chamber of the eye, typically caused by trauma
• While there is a spectrum of disease, blurred vision and eye pain are common presenting complaints after direct trauma to the eye
• Hyphema are graded between Grade 1 and Grade 5, depending on the amount of blood in the anterior chamber. Higher grades are associated with worse outcomes and more complications
• Other important diagnoses to consider include globe rupture and retrobulbar hematoma
• Complications of a hyphema can include glaucoma and vision loss 

References

Brandt MT, Haug RH.Traumatic hyphema: a comprehensive review. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2001 Dec;59(12):1462-70.

Summarized by Will Dewispelaere, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD