eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Vitreous

Hemorrhage, Vitreous: Follow-up

Author: Brian A Phillpotts, MD, Former Vitreo-Retinal Service Director, Former Program Director, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Howard University College of Medicine
Coauthor(s): Norman P Blair, MD, Director, Vitreoretinal Division, Laboratory of Retinal Circulation and Metabolism, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary; Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois at Chicago; Jon P Gieser, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Feb 13, 2007

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Initially, patients with vitreous hemorrhage are monitored daily for 2-5 days to rule out retinal tear or detachment, then every 1-2 weeks for spontaneous clearing. However, in the event that the dense vitreous hemorrhage persists without known underlying cause, a B-scan ultrasonography should be serially performed.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

  • Depends on the suspected underlying etiology and most likely differential diagnoses. See Differentials.

Prognosis

  • Depends on the suspected underlying etiology and most likely differential diagnoses. See Differentials.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Patients should be examined carefully to rule out the possibility that a retinal detachment is involved.
 


More on Hemorrhage, Vitreous

Overview: Hemorrhage, Vitreous
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Hemorrhage, Vitreous
Treatment & Medication: Hemorrhage, Vitreous
Follow-up: Hemorrhage, Vitreous
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

vitreous hemorrhage, retinal vascular tears, neovascularization of the retina, retinal neovascularization, retinal detachment, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, posterior vitreous detachment

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Brian A Phillpotts, MD, Former Vitreo-Retinal Service Director, Former Program Director, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Howard University College of Medicine
Brian A Phillpotts, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, and National Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Norman P Blair, MD, Director, Vitreoretinal Division, Laboratory of Retinal Circulation and Metabolism, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary; Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois at Chicago
Norman P Blair, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Diabetes Association, American Ophthalmological Society, and Christian Medical & Dental Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jon P Gieser, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago
Jon P Gieser, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Vytautas A Pakainis, MD, Chief of Ophthalmology, Dorn Veterans Administration Medical Center, Professor of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Vytautas A Pakainis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and South Carolina Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Steve Charles, MD, Director of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Steve Charles, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Club Jules Gonin, Macula Society, and Retina Society
Disclosure: Alcon Laboratories Consulting fee Consulting; OptiMedica Ownership interest Consulting

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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