ABO Ophthalmology Complete Practice Exam 2026

A common sign of hyphema is the presence of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye. Hyphema occurs when there is bleeding in the space between the cornea and the iris, leading to accumulation of blood which can cause varying degrees of vision impairment, depending on the amount of blood present. Clinically, this is identifiable upon examination, where the blood may appear as a layer in the lower part of the anterior chamber if the patient is upright.

Presence of blood in the anterior chamber is the defining feature of hyphema and is critical for diagnosis. The accumulation of blood can be a result of trauma, certain medical conditions, or complications of eye surgery, making the identification of this sign essential for appropriate management and treatment.