Hemorrhage in the anterior chamber of the eye in a hamster

A Story from Today’s Examination Room: A Closer Look into the Ophthalmology Unit
“Hyphema in a Hamster”
By Dr. Bus (Supawan Sriwiset, DVM)

A 2-year-old hamster with a pre-existing cataract in the right eye was brought in after an accidental fall that resulted in trauma to the eye. The impact caused bleeding in the anterior chamber of the eye — the space located between the cornea and the iris.

Hyphema, or bleeding into the anterior chamber of the eye, is a serious condition. It can lead to increased intraocular pressure (IOP), potentially resulting in glaucoma, impaired vision, or in severe cases, permanent vision loss.

Common causes of hyphema include:

Uveitis (inflammation of the uveal tract)
Eye trauma or blunt force to the eye
Intraocular tumors
Hypertension
Coagulation disorders
Glaucoma
Eye Examination Procedures Performed:

Assessment of the eye’s response to light and external stimuli
Magnified examination of intraocular structures using specialized ophthalmic instruments
Corneal staining to detect potential corneal injuries or ulcers
Intraocular pressure measurement, which revealed elevated pressure in the right eye. This was a result of the blood obstructing normal aqueous humor drainage.
Treatment Plan:

Anti-inflammatory medications, both oral and topical, to reduce eye inflammation
Anti-glaucoma medications to lower intraocular pressure and prevent damage to the retina
Restricted movement to prevent further trauma or recurrence
Follow-Up:
After two weeks of treatment, the blood in the anterior chamber had been fully reabsorbed by the body. A repeat intraocular pressure check showed that the pressure had returned to normal levels.

Illustrations referenced:
Images showing hyphema from side and front views.
(Source: https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hyphema)