Description
The normal eye contains approximately 4mL of vitreous, of which 99% is water. Since the healthy vitreous is avascular, hemorrhage usually arises from blood vessels associated with the retina or other intraocular tissues. In young patients the hyaloid membrane containing the vitreous is more likely to be intact and attached to the retina, and a retrohyaloid (subhyaloid, pre-retinal or retrovitreous) hemorrhage may result. With age, intravitreous hemorrhage is more likely, as the vitreous becomes more liquefied (synchysis senilis), shrinks (vitreous syneresis) and posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is more prevalent.
Etiology
Common causes of vitreous hemorrhage include:
(a) Bleeding from abnormal new retinal vessels, most often secondary to ischemia
(b) Tearing of normal retinal blood vessels, most often due to vitreous traction or trauma
(c) Breakthrough bleeding from choroidal neovascularization or tumor
(d) Developmental or idiopathic conditions.
Examples for these common causes are listed in the Table:
Table:Common causes of vitreous hemorrhage and examples | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Examples | |
Proliferative retinopathy | Diabetes, Sickle cell disease causing retinal ischemia | |
Vascular occlusion | Branch or central retinal vein occlusion, leading to ischemic retinopathy, retinal macroaneurysm | |
Choroidal neovascularization | Wet age-related maculopathy | |
Trauma | Blunt or penetrating trauma, Intraocular foreign body, Subarachnoid or subdural hemorrhage (Terson’s syndrome), Valsalva retinopathy | |
Intraocular tumor | Malignant melanoma, Lymphoma | |
Pediatric | Birth trauma, Shaken baby syndrome, Retinopathy of prematurity | |
Developmental | Coats’ Disease (Retinal Telangiectasia), Von Hippel Lindau syndrome, Retinoschisis – Juvenile X-linked | |
Idiopathic | Eales disease, Sarcoidosis, Intermediate uveitis/pars planitis |
Symptoms
Mild hemorrhage: Recent onset of multiple floaters and flashing lights (photopsia)
Moderate hemorrhage: possible “red vision” (erythopsia) or “smoke signals” (visual haze).
Severe hemorrhage: Sudden painless loss of vision
Signs
If the posterior hyaloid face is intact then a pre-retinal hemorrhage is more likely, with a dense well-circumscribed “boat shape” appearance. The bright red blood will shift readily with eye movements or head tilt.
A hemorrhage within the vitreous usually has no definite borders. It may partly or completely obscure the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels. In a severe vitreous hemorrhage there may be no fundus red reflex. As the vitreous hemorrhage breaks down, its color changes to orange and yellow.
Underlying retinal or other pathology may be evident at the posterior pole or in the retinal periphery. Neovascularization of the iris or angle may be evident on gonioscopy. Intraocular pressure may be raised if secondary glaucoma has developed.
Potential complications of persistent vitreous hemorrhage include:
(a) hemosiderosis bulbi, where retinal toxicity to iron ions may occur subsequent to hemoglobin breakdown.
(b) secondary glaucoma from blockage of the trabecular meshwork. The secondary glaucoma may relate to ghost cells in the vitreous, hemolysis or hemosiderosis.
(c) visual compromise in infants e.g. amblyopia
(d) increased risk of retinal tears or detachment
Prevalence
Rare (approximately 1/10,000)
Significance
Sight threatening requiring prompt investigation and possible treatment
Diff. Diagnosis
Vitritis, retinal detachment
See Also
See listing in Table
Management
Additional Investigations
The underlying cause should be promptly identified (see Etiology above). Ultrasound if vitreous hemorrhage is severe, to assess retina for breaks, detachment, tumor etc. Fluoroscein angiography may assist in identifying the source of the bleed.
Oral medication
Discontinue aspirin and other anti-clotting agents if possible
Review
VH may clear spontaneously and depending upon the underlying cause, conservative management with review may be all that is required
Laser surgery
Laser photocoagulation may be indicated to close a retinal break, seal a leaking vessel, or to treat proliferative retinopathy.
Incisional Surgery
Pars plana vitrectomy allows surgical removal of non-clearing blood. Indications may include recurrent or chronic vitreous hemorrhage, or the presence of associated conditions such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy retinal detachment, rubeosis or other secondary glaucoma. Retinal detachment or melanoma are likely to require surgical management.
Advice
Bed rest may be indicated, with the head elevated, to allow blood to settle inferiorly. To avoid a rebleed, the patient should avoid a valsalva maneuver; any activity causing a sudden increase in intrathoracic pressure, such as straining or physical activity.
Table 1
Common causes of vitreous hemorrhage and examples


Figure 1
Vitreous hemorrhage associated with proliferative retinopathy in diabetes.