Rebleeding after traumatic hyphema.

We reviewed the medical records of 175 patients who were admitted between 1977 and 1984 with a diagnosis of traumatic hyphema to define the incidence of operative intervention for the treatment of complications related to rebleeding. Of the 156 patients admitted with primary hyphemas, 25 (16%) rebled during hospitalization. Seven of these 25 in-hospital rebleeds required surgical intervention. Nineteen other patients were admitted with ocular histories and examinations strongly suggestive of rebleeding prior to admission (secondary hyphema--presumed preadmission rebleed). Seven of these 19 eyes underwent surgery. Of the 175 eyes studied, only one eye that did not rebleed underwent surgery during the initial hospitalization. Fourteen (32%) of 44 eyes that rebled underwent operative intervention. Nine of these 14 patients were operated on under general anesthesia. Potential benefits of newer hyphema treatments, such as epsilon-aminocaproic acid, designed to prevent rebleeding should be weighed against not only the ocular risks of rebleeding but also the risks of general anesthesia.