Hyphaema
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Hyphaema is a bleeding into the anterior chamber of the eye, often caused by injury or surgery. It can also occur spontaneously due to severe congestion of the iris, increased intraocular pressure, or circulatory disorders. The article describes the absorption of blood in healthy versus diseased eyes and outlines treatment methods.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
HYPHAEMA, hyphaema (from Greek hypo- and haima-blood), bleeding into the anterior chamber of the eye. It is obtained most often after injuries to the eye and surgery, but sometimes it can arise independently during extremely strong congestion of the iris, a sharp increase in intraocular pressure (glaucoma, tumors) and disorders of general circulation (vomiting, coughing, childbirth, heart diseases, scurvy, etc.). Blood descends to the bottom of the anterior chamber and is absorbed—in a healthy eye quickly (1-2 days), in a diseased one slowly (weeks and even months). Old hyphaemas acquire a brown and even dark color. Etiological treatment, in addition to a compressive bandage, diocaine, compresses, diaphoretics, sometimes massage; in severe cases—careful paracentesis of the cornea.
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“Hyphaema.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/hyphaema/