Vitreous Haemorhage: Sudden Visual Loss Flashcards
What are the causes of vitreous haemorrhage?
Diabetes
Bleeding disorders
Anti-coagulants
What are the features of vitreous haemorrhage?
Red-hue of vision and floaters or shadows in the vision.
Large bleeds cause sudden visual loss
Moderate bleeds may be described as numerous dark spots
Small bleeds may cause floaters
What is vitreous haemorrhage?
Bleeding into the vitreous humour. One of the most common causes of sudden painless visual loss.
What is the prognosis of vitreous haemorrhage?
Blood is cleared from the retina at a rate of approximately 1% per day
What is the epidemiology of vitreous haemorrhage?
Increases with age
What are the most common causes of vitreous haemorrhage?
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Posterior vitreous detachment
Ocular trauma: most common in younger people
What are the signs of vitreous haemorrhage?
Decreased visual acuity: variable depending on the location, size and degree of vitrous haemorrhage
Visual field defect if severe haemorrhage
What are the investigations of vitreous haemorrhage?
Dilated fundoscopy: may show haemorrhage in the vitreous cavity
Slit-lamp examination: red blood cells in the anteroir vitrouus
Ultrasounds: to rule out retinal tear/detachment
Fluorescein antiography: to identify neovascularisation
Orbital CT: Used if open globe injury
