What is a Vitreous Hemorrhage?

The vitreous is normally a clear, jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of the eye. Various diseases can cause the vitreous to fill with blood so that light entering the eye will not reach the retina properly.  Vitreous hemorrhage, or bleed, results in a sudden change in vision as it blocks light moving through the vitreous to the retina. This hemorrhage specifically occurs in front of the retina in the posterior section of the eye.

The vitreous hemorrhage may be the result of an aneurysm of a blood vessel in the eye, trauma to the eye, a retinal tear, a retinal detachment, a new blood vessel (neovascularization) or as a result of another underlying medical condition.



What are the Symptoms of Vitreous Hemorrhage?

Someone experiencing a vitreous hemorrhage may experience one or more of the following symptoms:



  • sudden onset of blurry vision

  • light flashes

  • floaters (spots seemingly floating across the field of vision)

  • blindness

Vitreous Hemorrhage Treatment

Initial treatment may be observation alone. Minor hemorrhages often clot and resolve on their own over time. Unfortunately, it may take months for full visual recovery from a vitreous hemorrhage.