"Hemophthalmus" is a medical term that refers to bleeding inside the eye's posterior chamber, specifically between the retina and the vitreous humor. The word is spelled "he-mof-thal-mus" and is pronounced as /hiːmɒfˈθælməs/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). It comes from the Greek words "haima" meaning blood and "opthalmos" meaning eye. This condition is commonly caused by trauma, diabetes, or hypertension, and treatment usually involves surgery to remove the blood and repair the retinal damage.
Hemophthalmus is a medical term referring to the presence of blood in the vitreous humor, which is the clear gel-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina in the eye. This condition typically occurs as a result of bleeding within the eye, which can be caused by various factors, including trauma, injury, or certain underlying medical conditions.
When hemophthalmus occurs, blood enters and accumulates in the vitreous humor, leading to impaired vision and potentially causing significant visual disturbances. Symptoms may include blurred vision, floaters (spots or specks that seem to float across the visual field), decreased visual acuity, and in severe cases, total loss of vision in the affected eye.
Treatment of hemophthalmus depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. In some cases, conservative management and monitoring may be sufficient, allowing the blood to gradually clear on its own over time. However, more severe cases may require surgical intervention, such as vitrectomy, which involves the removal of the vitreous humor and replacement with a clear saline solution.
Prognosis for individuals with hemophthalmus varies depending on the underlying cause and the extent of bleeding. While some cases may resolve completely, allowing for a restoration of normal vision, others may result in long-term visual impairment or permanent loss of vision in the affected eye. Prompt medical attention and proper management are essential for optimizing outcomes in individuals with hemophthalmus.
Hemophthalmia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "hemophthalmus" is a medical term derived from two Greek roots: "haima" meaning "blood" and "ophthalmos" meaning "eye". When combined, "hemophthalmus" refers to the presence of blood in the eye, specifically in the vitreous humor or other parts of the eye.