Vitreous Hemorrhage

Bleeding into the gel that fills the eye

Overview

A vitreous hemorrhage is bleeding into the vitreous, the clear gel filling the back of the eye. Depending on the amount of blood, people notice new floaters, cobwebs, a reddish tint, or a sudden profound loss of vision. Common causes include abnormal new vessels from diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion, retinal tears during posterior vitreous detachment, and trauma. Because a retinal tear or detachment may be hidden behind the blood, ultrasound is used when the retina cannot be seen. Blood often clears slowly over weeks to months, and vitrectomy can remove blood that does not.