What are the causes of retinal hemorrhage?

Retinal hemorrhage may be caused by trauma, ocular diseases, or systemic diseases.

Direct physical injury or surgical procedures may lead to rupture of blood vessels inside the eye. Ocular infections or inflammatory responses can also cause retinal hemorrhage. Inflammatory eye conditions such as uveitis and scleritis may lead to rupture and bleeding of retinal blood vessels. Vascular diseases, such as retinal vein occlusion and periphlebitis retinae, may also cause retinal hemorrhage.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common causes of retinal hemorrhage. Long-term high blood sugar damages the retinal blood vessels, making them fragile and prone to rupture and bleeding. When retinal veins are obstructed, blood flow becomes impaired and pressure increases, leading to vessel rupture and bleeding. Hypertension and blood disorders are common contributing factors. For example, hypertension can damage the retinal blood vessels, and blood disorders such as leukemia and thrombocytopenic purpura may also trigger retinal hemorrhage.

Symptoms of retinal hemorrhage may include blurred vision, visual field defects, floaters, and flashes of light. In severe cases, it can even lead to blindness. Therefore, once the above symptoms appear, prompt medical attention is necessary. Diagnosis can be confirmed through fundus examination, OCT (optical coherence tomography), fluorescein angiography, and other diagnostic methods, followed by targeted treatment based on the specific cause.