Hyphema

• Hyphema is the term used to describe bleeding that occurs between the iris (the colored portion of the eye) and the cornea (the transparent portion of the eye that covers the iris and bends light as it enters the eye). The space between the cornea and the iris is called the eye's anterior chamber and is filled with a clear fluid known as aqueous humor. When blood enters this chamber, the increase in pressure can cause the glaucoma that is inherent in glaucoma hyphema syndrome.
  
  

Glaucoma

• Glaucoma is an eye condition that occurs when an increase in pressure within the eye begins to damage the optic nerve. Because optic nerve cells cannot be replaced or regrown, these portions of eyesight are permanently lost. Glaucoma can develop slowly over a period of time or can occur rapidly after eye trauma, as with glaucoma hyphema syndrome.
  
  

Causes

• Glaucoma hyphema syndrome is caused by three main disturbances to the eye: trauma, surgery, or certain eye conditions. The most common cause is trauma to the eye from being struck with a flying object or injury in a fall, accident or fight. Surgery involving corneal implants can result in glaucoma hyphema if bleeding develops after the procedure is performed. Unusual types of ocular tumors can also result in the condition.
  
  

Symptoms

• An individual suffering from glaucoma hyphema will usually have visible blood in the eye. They will also have blurry or greatly decreased vision and will often suffer from sharp pain in the injured eye. While glaucoma is generally not associated with eye pain or a sensation of eye pressure of any sort, if the glaucoma occurs due to hyphema, the rapid increase in pressure from accumulating blood can cause great discomfort.
  
  

Treatment

• Glaucoma hyphema must be treated as rapidly as possible in order to prevent irreparable damage to the optic nerve. If the intraocular eye pressure is high, certain eye drops can be used to decrease the pressure and keep it down. If these medications fail to keep the buildup of pressure under control, surgery may be required to drain fluid out of the eye's anterior chamber.