REMEDY : BNSSG referral pathways & Joint Formulary


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Hyphaema

Checked: 23-01-2020 by Vicky Ryan Next Review: 23-01-2021

Overview

This is a collection of blood between the cornea and the iris. It forms a fluid level behind the cornea. It is most often caused by trauma but can be spontaneous.

Please see diagnostic photographs

Who to refer

All hyphaema should be referred same day to the BEH Emergency Department, if out of hours, please discuss with the on-call ophthalmologist.

Prior to review by the ophthalmologist, patients should be advised strict, upright rest - this encourages the blood to settle at the bottom of the anterior chamber.

Red Flags

Hyphaema is a red flag which should prompt all patients to be referred.

Before referral

There is no other immediate treatment which can be given in primary care.

Referral

Refer to BEH Emergency Department

Resources

These guidelines have been written by Rhys Harrison, consultant ophthalmologist at Bristol Eye Hospital, with thanks to the patients who have kindly given consent to use their photos.

For full ophthalmology guidelines see: Primary Care Ophthalmology Guidance Document



Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and agreement of these guidelines, including any content uploaded, referred to or linked to from the system. However, BNSSG ICB cannot guarantee this. This guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, in accordance with the mental capacity act, and informed by the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering. Practitioners are required to perform their duties in accordance with the law and their regulators and nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

Information provided through Remedy is continually updated so please be aware any printed copies may quickly become out of date.