WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

What is retinal hemorrhage? Retinal hemorrhage is bleeding from the blood vessels in the retina, inside your eye. Your retina is the thin layer that lines the back of your eye.

What causes retinal hemorrhage?

• Medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, anemia, or leukemia
  
  
• Eye problems, such as macular degeneration, or a bulging of the blood vessels in the retina
  
  
• Head trauma caused by car accidents, or child abuse
  
  
• Rapid change in air pressure, such as in mountain climbing, or scuba diving

What are the signs and symptoms of retinal hemorrhage? You may have no symptoms. You may have a sudden or gradual loss of vision, ranging from mild to severe. You may have blind spots.

How is retinal hemorrhage diagnosed?

• Blood tests may show information about your overall health. They may also show if you have a medical condition that caused your retinal hemorrhage.
  
  
• Vision tests may be done to check how well you see straight ahead, off to the sides, and at different distances.
  
  
• Fluorescein angiography may be used to take a picture of the inside of your eye. This test uses a dye that is injected into a vein in your hand or arm. The dye flows into the blood vessels of your retina, so your healthcare provider can see it clearly.
  
  
• Ultrasound may be used to show the bleeding inside your eye. Ultrasound uses sound waves to show pictures on a monitor.

How is retinal hemorrhage treated? You may not need treatment, because a retinal hemorrhage often heals by itself. If your bleeding is caused by a medical condition, your healthcare provider will treat that illness. You may need any of the following:

• Steroid medicine may be given if you have macular degeneration.
  
  
• Laser treatment may be used to stop the bleeding.

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

• Your vision does not improve.
  
  
• You develop new vision problems, such as a lazy eye, or blind spots.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

When should I or someone close to me seek immediate care or call 911?

• You cannot see, or your vision is greatly reduced.
  
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.