Hyphaema

Hyphaema describes blood present in the anterior chamber — the fluid-filled space at the front of the eye, between the cornea and the iris. When blood accumulates there, it may appear as a reddish layer at the bottom of the eye, a diffuse cloudiness, or complete obscuring of normal eye structures. The amount can vary from a faint tinge to a chamber filled entirely with blood. Owners often notice this when the eye appears visibly red inside (distinct from surface redness), when the normally clear front of the eye looks clouded or discoloured, or when the pupil is difficult to see. It can develop suddenly or over hours, and may occur in one eye or both. The blood itself comes from vessels within the eye, though the reason those vessels have bled varies widely — from trauma to inflammation to changes in pressure or clotting. This page explores the patterns that tend to accompany hyphaema, the mechanisms that can lead to bleeding inside the eye, the ways it is investigated, and the approaches used to manage it.