DEFINITION: These are the bleedings in the jelly-like fluid (vitreous) inside the eye.

RISK FACTORS AND CAUSES: Diabetic retinopathy due to diabetes, retinal embolism, retinal ruptures, hypertension, retinal vacular diseases, and eye injuries are among the most common causes.

Figure 1. Posterior segment appearance of a patient diagnosed with intraocular hemorrhage secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (left).  B-scan ultrasound image of a patient diagnosed with dense vitreous hemorrhage.

FINDINGS: Sudden loss of vision or decrease in vision and web-like floaters before the eye may occur depending on the severity of the bleeding.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS: The disease is easily detected through retinal examination (ophthalmoscopy). The most frequently used method to obtain detailed information about the cause of the bleeding is ocular ultrasonography.

TREATMENT: Vitrectomy operation is carried when there is long-term bleeding or at an early period depending on the underlying cause. Bleeding is cleaned through vitrectomy and additional treatment may be applied according to the underlying cause (laser photocoagulation, intraocular injection, gas provision, silicone provision, etc.). Silicone is surgically removed from the patient. In some cases where bleeding is not intense, bleeding can be removed with a follow-up without the need for surgery.