Retinal hemorrhage
Content:
- What is retinal hemorrhage?
- Causes of retinal hemorrhages
- Retinal hemorrhage symptoms
- Treatment of retinal hemorrhage
What is retinal hemorrhage?
Retinal hemorrhage is bleeding into the retinal tissue resulting from damage to the walls of the eye vessels. Such hemorrhage can be visually subtle, but it is very dangerous, since the visual receptors are located in the retina.
Retinal hemorrhage is quite common and can be the result of both mechanical injury and some diseases. Any hemorrhage, especially repeated, requires compulsory medical advice, since in this case the risk of retinal detachment increases significantly.
Causes of retinal hemorrhages
The most common cause of this type of hemorrhage is blunt trauma (contusion) to the eye. In this case, an external mechanical force can act both directly on the eye and through the surrounding tissues (a blow to the face, head, or even to the diaphragm).
By gravity, there are three degrees of contusion:
- Light, when there are almost no visible manifestations, the structures of the eye are not damaged, there is a slight edema of the cornea and retina, vision can be restored in full;
- Average, which is characterized by damage to the tissues of the eye (hemorrhage under the conjunctiva and its ruptures, corneal erosion) and deterioration of vision to light perception;
- Severe, accompanied by irreversible structural changes in the tissues of the eye (tears of the choroid and retina, dislocation of the lens) and complete loss of visual functions.
Even minor bruises can lead to serious changes in the structure of the eyeball. Similarly, the symptoms and external manifestations of contusion do not always correspond to the real severity of the injury. Often, hemorrhages in the visual organs are accompanied by closed brain injuries.
The second, rather numerous group of reasons, is made up of common diseases:
- Atherosclerosis - the walls of blood vessels covered with sclerotic plaques lose their elasticity and become more susceptible to influences;
- Arterial hypertension - with increased pressure, the risk of rupture of the walls of blood vessels increases;
- Diabetes mellitus - high glucose levels lead to aneurysms (bulging) and weakening of the vascular walls;
- Systemic connective tissue diseases (scleroderma, vasculitis, lupus erythematosus) - increase the permeability and fragility of blood vessels;
- Diseases of the blood (anemia, leukemia, coagulopathy) - clotting disorders and pathological changes in the composition of the blood have a negative effect on the walls of blood vessels.
The third group includes eye diseases directly:
- Intraocular tumors that compress blood vessels;
- Myopia (myopia) of medium and high degree;
- Development anomalies and inflammatory processes of the choroid (angiopathy or retinal vein thrombosis, uveitis, iritis).
Intensive physical activity can be distinguished into a separate group:
- Sports, cardio training;
- Attempts during childbirth;
- Severe coughing or crying;
- Shaking (especially in infants).
Retinal hemorrhage symptoms
Common symptoms of bleeding in the eye include:
- Decrease in visual acuity and clarity, blurring, double image;
- Restriction of eyeball movements;
- Mesh formation in front of the eyes;
- Flashing "flies".
Initially, a cloudy spot appears before the eyes, which gradually grows. With significant extensive damage, vision may disappear completely.
With contusion of the eye orbit, blood diseases and vasculitis, a pronounced protrusion of the eyeball forward (exophthalmos) is possible.
If the leaked blood is localized along the vessels or at the periphery of the fundus, then the deterioration of vision is absent or insignificant. If the hemorrhage occurs in the central part of the retina (macular zone), then vision decreases rapidly and to a large extent.
Hemorrhages outside the macular zone can remain unnoticed for a person and are detected only when examined by an ophthalmologist, when diagnosing the fundus.
Treatment of retinal hemorrhage
Retinal hemorrhage is diagnosed by examining the fundus with an ophthalmoscope. It is also necessary to do a complete blood count in order to clarify the cause of the hemorrhage or the possible detection of the underlying disease in order to take appropriate measures to prevent repeated hemorrhages.
With extensive hemorrhage and severe retinal damage, surgery can be performed - vitrectomy. This operation removes the clouded parts of the vitreous humor and blood clots. After surgery, vision is restored within a few weeks. The volume of restored visual function depends on the condition of the retina and optic nerve. If there are organic changes in them, then even with positive results of the operation (transparency of the vitreous body, good fit of the retina), vision may remain low.
For moderate hemorrhage, not associated with serious illness, the main recommendation is maximum rest and rest for the eyes. It is helpful to sit quietly with your eyes closed for extended periods of time, this promotes the natural sediment of the blood. It is very important not to allow any foreign bodies (debris, etc.) to get into the eyes at this time, so as not to get infected. Vision is restored in about 3-4 weeks.
From medications, hemostatic and vaso-strengthening agents can be prescribed; There are currently no special drugs for the treatment of retinal hemorrhages. For example, Emoxipin eye drops strengthen the blood vessels of the eyes and protect them from excessive light. They can be used only after examination and as directed by a doctor. It is also recommended to take vitamins C and K, which strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve blood clotting.
Preventive measures are reduced to strengthening the immune system, timely treatment of common diseases. People at risk should avoid sudden head movements and downward bends.
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The author of the article: Degtyareva Marina Vitalievna, ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist
