Hyphema and the Upright Position

Ask an Eye M.D. Answer Archive

Question:
Why is a patient with mild hyphema placed in an upright position?      

Answer:
A hyphema is bleeding in the front part of the eye. We recommend that the patient be in an upright position so that the blood settles or layers in the lower portion of the eye by gravity, thus allowing the visual axis to be clear and the patient's vision to be optimized while the blood is reabsorbing.

Answered by: Paul Sternberg Jr., MD 

Categories: Eye Injuries

Have a question that hasn't been answered yet? Ask it!