Hyphema

[JeffCoil7]

On Saturday night I attended a friends birthday night out and long story short I had a balloon explode in my left eye. I went straight to the ER and was told that it developed into a Hyphema and a small amount of blood had settled in my iris (less than 1/3rd). MY vision was almost completely obstructed until the morning when I could see more clearly despite having cloudy vision and light sensitivity.

I saw the Ophthalmologist the following morning and was told that it didn't seem that bad, my eye pressure was normal and was given Pred Forte which I used until I returned in four days and found that the pressure in my left eye went up to 44 which I found quite frightening. I was told that this level of eye pressure is normal for receiving eye trauma as well as the blood still remaining despite it occurring almost five days prior.

I was given four different types of eye drops and tablets to use, this is the information given to me on a report:

Acetazolamide 250mg to be used 4 times a day for 1 week then 2 time a day for the second week
Maxidex 4 times a day for 4 weeks
Timolol for 2 times a day for 4 weeks
Latanoprost for 1 time at night for 4 weeks
Cyclopentolate 4 times a day for 2 weeks (though it says 2 times a day for 2 weeks on the label so I've been following that to what is on the report)

I began using them right away during the afternoon after seeing the Ophthalmologist and was told that I will be seen to in two to three weeks. I personally believe that it is risky to leave it that long without being checked regularly for my eye pressure so I will return within a few days, most likely Monday.

Also my iris has turned into a slightly darker shade to what my eye color is and there is still the small sliver of blood remaining from when the injury occured. My concern is whether the blood will eventually drain given there is no damage to the drainage (something I will inquire about when I return) and if and when my cloudy vision and light sensitivity will go down and improve.

[JeffCoil7]

Went back on Monday and was told that the pressure is 37 so I was glad to hear that it was coming down. I managed to get seen to today and was told that there is no damage after examination and that the pressure dropped from 37 to 17 in just one day. Couldn't believe it, still a bit skeptical so I'll continue getting checked out twice a week as I'm seeing them again in two weeks and I've been told that I can stop taking the dilation drops but must continue to take the others. Hopefully if my pupil goes back to normal the blurred vision and light sensitivity will correct itself.

[JohnHaganMD]

good news and best of luck

[JeffCoil7]

Right the cloudy vision and light sensitivity went back to how it was the day before, I will keep on taking the medication and will have them check my eye again on Monday.

[JohnHaganMD]

Best of luck. don't forget this injury in the future even if the eye seems back to normal. Add it to your medical and eye history as I've seen these eyes develop unilateral glaucoma decades down the road. And protect yourself from another injury.

[JeffCoil7]

Right now there's less clouded vision and light sensitivity, also the blood has almost completely cleared up in the affected eye.

[JeffCoil7]

Should I ask wether I'd require something else if they are too standard to be used against my eye pressure?

Yes I'm aware of that risk and I will have myself checked every so often in order to be able to detect it early and help prevent it's progression if it occurs, hopefully if it can be done.

[JeffCoil7]

Sorry I need to reword that.

Do you mean that I shouldn't be taking this much medication for this or that it is ok to keep on taking them all?

I will most certainly keep going back even if I have to insist as it is important for me to be made aware that my eye pressure is coming down and that there is progression with the Hyphema itself.

I wasn't told if there was any damage as they told me the first time that it seemed fine but I will insist on knowing this as well.

[JohnHaganMD]

I can't tell what medications you need or don't need. Those are pretty standard medicines for severe elevation of intraocular pressure. A hyphema also carries with it an increased risk of traumatic glaucoma down the line.

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[JeffCoil7]

Do you mean that I shouldn't be taking this much medication for this or that I should go back more regularly instead of the time that they had told me?

Sorry I just wanted to clarify that part.

[JohnHaganMD]

Yes I also feel it would be a mistake for you to be on all those meds and then told to come back in 2 weeks. How serious this is often relates to the amount of blood and whether there is damage to other parts of the eye such as the lens or retina.  So demand to be seen minimum of once/week and if the eye gets painful or vision suddenly worsens go back immediately.

[JeffCoil7]

Forgot to mention that since being seen to on Monday I have been told to sleep upright and the Cyclopentolate drops are called Mydrilate.

Also it appears that the blood has gotten a bit smaller (thinner) but I am not too sure, I will monitor this closely and have a Ophthalmologist to perform a Gonioscopy to see if the drainage is working ok.