In some mild cases, no treatment is needed. The blood is absorbed in a few days.

The health care provider may recommend bed rest, eye patching, and sedation to reduce the likelihood of recurrent bleeding.

Eye drops to decrease the inflammation or lower the intraocular pressure may be used if needed.

The ophthalmologist may need to remove the blood, especially if the intraocular pressure is severely increased or the blood is slow to absorb again. You may need to stay in a hospital.

The outcome depends upon the amount of injury to the eye. Patients with sickle cell disease are more likely to have eye complications and must be monitored more carefully.

Severe vision loss can occur.

• Acute glaucoma
• Impaired vision
• Recurring bleeding

Call your health care provider if you notice blood in the front of the eye or you have a traumatic eye injury. You will need prompt diagnosis and treatment by an ophthalmologist.

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Review Date: 11/08/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel E. Bustos, MD, MS, Private Practice specializing in Comprehensive Ophthalmology in Eugene, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)