What is the Blood Behind the Eye?
Bleeding behind the eye, medically termed a vitreous hemorrhage, is the presence of blood within the vitreous humor, the jelly-like substance filling the eye's interior between the retina and the lens. This bleeding originates from damaged blood vessels, most commonly those in the retina at the back of the eye. The clear vitreous gel allows light to pass through to the retina, but blood obscures this, leading to various visual disturbances.
Several factors can cause bleeding behind the eye, including:
- Retinal vein occlusion: Blockage of retinal veins can cause abnormal blood vessel growth and lead to hemorrhage.
- Diabetic retinopathy: This complication of diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina, making them prone to bleeding. See National Eye Institute's information on Diabetic Retinopathy.
- Trauma: Injuries to the eye can cause bleeding in the vitreous humor.
- Age-related macular degeneration: This condition can damage blood vessels in the retina.
- Other eye conditions: Certain other eye diseases and conditions increase the risk of bleeding behind the eye.
Symptoms of Vitreous Hemorrhage
Symptoms of a vitreous hemorrhage can include:
- Sudden onset of floaters: These are small, dark spots that drift across the field of vision.
- Blurred vision: The blood obscures vision.
- Loss of vision: In severe cases, vision loss can be significant.
- Curtain-like vision loss: A portion of the visual field might be blocked.
Treatment for Vitreous Hemorrhage
Treatment depends on the severity and cause of the bleeding. While generally treatable, it doesn't always result in complete vision recovery. See Griswold Care's article on bleeding behind the eye in elderly adults. Treatment options might include:
- Observation: In some cases, the blood will naturally reabsorb.
- Laser surgery: To seal leaking blood vessels.
- Vitrectomy: Surgical removal of the blood and sometimes the vitreous gel itself.
It's crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden vision loss or any of the symptoms listed above. Early diagnosis and treatment can help minimize the risk of permanent vision impairment.
