Vitreous Hemorrhage
Also known as Vitreous Bleed, Blood in the Vitreous, Retinal Bleeding Into Eye Jelly, Sudden Floaters With Haze
Bottom Line
Vitreous hemorrhage is bleeding into the clear gel inside the eye. New floaters, haze, or a curtain needs same-day retina care.
Vitreous hemorrhage means blood has leaked into the vitreous, the clear gel that fills the eye. It can cause sudden floaters, cobwebs, haze, shadows, or vision loss 1.
Common causes include diabetic eye disease, a retinal tear, retinal vein blockage, abnormal new blood vessels, trauma, and retinal detachment. A dilated retina exam looks for the cause 2.
Some bleeds clear with monitoring, but the cause still matters. Laser, eye injections, or vitrectomy surgery may be needed to stop bleeding or repair the retina 3.
How Doctors Diagnose It
A dilated retina exam is the key test. The doctor looks through the pupil to find blood and check the retina.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can show macular swelling when the view is clear. Ultrasound helps when dense blood blocks the view 1.
Treatment Options
Treatment targets the cause. A retinal tear may need laser or freezing treatment. Diabetic bleeding may need laser, medicine injections, or surgery.
Vitrectomy removes cloudy blood from the eye gel. It may also let the surgeon repair tears or remove scar tissue 3.
Why Diabetes Matters
Diabetic retinopathy can grow fragile new blood vessels. These vessels can break and bleed into the vitreous.
Good diabetes control and regular retina visits lower the chance of advanced bleeding. Treatment may still be needed once bleeding starts 2.
Common Questions About Vitreous Hemorrhage
Next Steps
- 1Call a retina specialist or ophthalmologist today for new floaters, flashes, haze, or a curtain.
- 2Go to the emergency room if you cannot reach same-day eye care.
- 3Call 911 if vision symptoms come with face droop, slurred speech, weakness, or confusion.
- 4Tell the doctor about diabetes, blood thinners, trauma, and past retina problems.
- 5Keep follow-up visits until the retina can be seen clearly.
Find specialists for Vitreous Hemorrhage
Board-certified ophthalmologists who treat Vitreous Hemorrhage.
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