injuries and poisoning
Hyphema
Treatment of Hyphema
Bed rest with the head of the bed elevated A protective shield over the eye Eye drops A person with a hyphema should be examined by an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in the evaluation and treatment—surgical and nonsurgical—of eye disorders) as soon as possible. Some people with severe bleeding or bleeding disorders (which make bleeding and rebleeding more likely) or who take anticoagulant drugs may need to be treated in the hospital. Treatment usually involves bed rest with the head of the bed elevated to encourage the blood to settle. Eye drops are often given to dilate the pupil (such asatropine) and to reduce inflammation and minimize scarring within the eye (usually corticosteroids). A protective shield is taped over the eye to prevent further injury. Doctors measure pressure in the eye at least once daily for the first few days. This measurement is taken painlessly with an instrument called a Tonometry . If the pressure is elevated, people may have nausea, eye ache, and decreased vision. The ophthalmologist may give eye drops such as those used to treat glaucoma to decrease the pressure. If bleeding is severe or recurs, an ophthalmologist may giveaminocaproic acidortranexamic acid, which are drugs that hasten blood clotting. Rarely if recurrent bleeding causes increased pressure in the eye, the blood may need to be drained surgically. 