Hyphema

Home care

• Rest for the next 24 hours with your head raised on at least 2 pillows. Stay home from school or work, and don’t do any strenuous activities.

• You may take acetaminophen for pain, unless another pain medicine was prescribed. Don’t take aspirin or ibuprofen, as these can cause bleeding to occur again. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to take acetaminophen if you have a history of chronic liver or kidney disease.

• Limit your eye movement. Don’t read or drive.

• If an eye patch was applied, don’t drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery with the patch in place. You will have trouble judging distances with 1 eye covered.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider as advised. You may see an eye care provider (ophthalmologist) for another exam. If you are referred to an eye care provider, be sure to keep the appointment. It is very important that you have a repeat eye exam within the next few days. This is to be sure the blood is clearing and to monitor the pressure in the eye.

When to get medical care

Call your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if any of these occur:

• Eye pain or headache

• Vision gets worse

• Eye redness or swollen eyelids

• Drainage from the eye