Vitreous Hemorrhage

Visual acuity ranges from 20/20 (6/6) to light perception only

The eye is not inflamed, red, or painful

Causes include

• Retinal tears (with or without detachment)

• Diabetic or sickle cell retinopathy

• Retinal vein occlusions

• Retinal vasculitis

• Neovascular age-related macular degeneration

• Retinal arterial macroaneurysm

• Blood dyscrasias

• Therapeutic anticoagulation

• Trauma

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage

• Severe straining (Valsalva retinopathy)

Sudden visual loss

Abrupt onset of floaters that may progressively increase in severity

Occasionally, "bleeding within the eye"

The clue to diagnosis is the inability to see fundus details clearly despite the presence of a clear lens

In all cases, examination by an ophthalmologist is essential

Retinal tears and detachments require urgent treatment