A hyphema is when blood pools in the front part of the eye (called the anterior chamber). In children, it is usually caused by an eye injury; for example, by getting hit by a ball or a fist. Treatment for a hyphema (hi-FEE-muh) includes limiting your child's activity, using eye drops, and having frequent checks by the health care provider.

A hyphema is a serious eye injury that can lead to other problems, including vision loss. Follow these instructions closely to help your child heal.

• For the first week (or for as long as your health care provider says), have your child:
  • Lie quietly with the head raised in bed or on a couch. Only allow your child to get up to use the bathroom or to go to medical appointments.
  • Keep the injured eye protected with an eye shield.
  • Sleep face-up with the head raised.
  • Avoid activities that require looking at something close up, like reading or using computers, tablets, and smartphones.
• Give prescription eye drops as directed.
• If your child has pain, you may give acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Panadol®, or a store brand). Don't give your child any aspirin (Bayer®, Ecotrin®, or store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). They can increase bleeding.
• Go to all follow-up doctor visits.
• Do not allow your child to go to school or do any sports or other activities until your health care provider says it's OK.

You have any questions about your child's care.

• Your child has new or worsening:
  • pain
  • changes in vision
  • light sensitivity
  • nausea or vomiting
  • blood in the eye
• Your child sees flashes of light or small "floating" spots, or has other problems seeing.

What are the symptoms of a hyphema? A hyphema can cause eye pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, changes in vision or vision loss, nausea, or vomiting (throwing up).

What problems can happen from a hyphema? Sometimes an eye with hyphema can bleed again, especially in the first 5 days after the injury. A hyphema also can lead to glaucoma (increased eye pressure), cataracts (a cloudy lens), damage to the eye nerve, blindness, and other eye problems.

How can we prevent another hyphema? Most eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear. Regular glasses do not protect the eyes well. To prevent future eye injuries, your child should:

• Wear safety or sport glasses with shatterproof plastic (called polycarbonate lenses) or a face shield or mask while playing sports where eye injury is possible. These include basketball, baseball, softball, racquetball, squash, field hockey, soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse.
• Wear safety goggles or glasses when doing yardwork and using tools.