Vitreous Haemorrhage2022-03-07T10:20:26+00:00

Vitreous haemorrhage is where blood leaks into the vitreous ‘gel’ inside the eye

We can treat this condition with laser treatment and surgery

Vitreous haemorrhage is where blood leaks into the vitreous ‘gel’ inside the eye

We can treat this condition with laser treatment and surgery

Restore clarity in your sight

Discover more about this condition and how to treat it

Vitreous Haemorrhage incidence / prevalence

A number of conditions can cause a vitreous haemorrhage, where blood leaks into the vitreous ‘gel’ inside the eye.

The eye is filled with a clear vitreous gel’. When blood leaks into this gel, usually from blockage or damage to the retina’s blood vessels, it is known as a vitreous haemorrhage. This usually results in blurred vision, as the leaked fluids block the light that passes into the eye.

There are three main causes of vitreous haemorrhage:

  • Damage to normal blood vessels
  • Retinal blood vessels that are damaged through injury or trauma can cause a vitreous haemorrhage. Some eye problems can also cause damage to the blood vessels of the retina, such as retinal tears. A retinal vein occlusion can also cause vitreous haemorrhage, as it blocks the veins that feed the retina, which may then bleed into the vitreous ‘gel’.
  • Growth of abnormal blood vessels

Some eye conditions can cause the growth of abnormal blood vessels that bleed into the vitreous ‘gel’ of the eye. The later stages of diabetic retinopathy, some retinal vein occlusions, and occasionally wet AMD can cause abnormal, delicate blood vessels to grow and bleed into the vitreous cavity.

Bleeding from other parts of the eye

Occasionally, blood from another source can cause a vitreous haemorrhage. While it is very rare, a haemorrhage in another part of the eye, or even a tumour, can cause blood to leak through into the vitreous ‘gel’.

Vitreous haemorrhage normally occurs suddenly and without any pain. Symptoms range from the sudden appearance of spots or floaters in your vision to a sudden blurring of vision, and in severe cases, sudden blindness.

Some people find that their vision is worse in the morning. This is because the blood settles to the back of the eye during the night.

We can diagnose a vitreous haemorrhage through a dilated fundus examination.

Vitreous haemorrhage sometimes goes away by itself. If it persists, we can use vitrectomy surgery to treat the cause of the haemorrhage (bleeding).

Does a vitreous haemorrhage hurt?

There is no pain associated with a vitreous haemorrhage.

What symptoms will I notice if I have a vitreous haemorrhage?

Initially, you may see floaters in your vision, sudden blurring of vision, or, if severe, a complete loss of vision in that eye.

Is it normal for vision to fluctuate?

It can fluctuate if the blood moves around in your eye with eye movements.

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Gain relief from a worrying eye condition

We understand that any issue with your eyes can be a weight on your shoulders. Give us a call to book your appointment today, and we’ll help you get to the bottom of your issue and put your mind at ease.

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Additional resources on treating a vitreous haemorrhage

Learn more about treating a vitreous haemorrhage from authoritative sources.

Vitreous haemorrhage is bleeding into the jelly-like filling of the back part of your eye. This substance is the vitreous humour. It helps the eye keep its shape and is normally clear, allowing light from outside the eye to pass through it to reach the retina.

Vitreous haemorrhage varies in degree from mild, with ‘floaters’ and haziness in the vision, to complete loss of vision. It is painless and it comes on quite quickly. Usually only one eye is affected. Whilst it is very alarming, once the bleeding has been treated, many cases resolve and vision is restored to where it was before. Click here to read more.

Vitreous Hemorrhage is a relatively common cause of acute vision loss, having an incidence of approximately 7 cases per 100,000.  It is therefore frequently encountered by ophthalmologists and Emergency Room professionals alike due to its often rapid onset which causes painless, but substantial vision loss. Although the diagnosis of vitreous hemorrhage is often straightforward to make on funduscopic examination or ultrasonography, further investigation may be required to determine the underlying etiology. Click here to read more.

Vitreous hemorrhage (VH) is defined as the presence of blood within the vitreous cavity, which is the space lined posteriorly by the retina and anteriorly by the ciliary body, zonular fibers, and posterior lens capsule.

The diagnosis of VH alone is not specific and the list of causes of VH is extensive. Fortunately, three conditions cause 59 to 88.5% of VH cases:

  • proliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)
  • ocular trauma.

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