TRAUMATIC HYPHEMA IN AN URBAN-POPULATION

We reviewed 241 patients (178 black and 63 white) who were examined and treated at the Detroit Medical Center between 1980 and 1989 for traumatic hyphema. Secondary hemorrhage occurred in 46 patients (19%) and was significantly higher in black patients (P < .005). Thirty-one patients (67%) developing secondary hemorrhage had an initial hyphema filling less than 25% of the anterior chamber. Patients treated with aminocaproic acid had secondary hemorrhages at a rate of 11% (six patients) compared to 21% (40 patients) in patients who were not treated with aminocaproic acid. The high risk of secondary hemorrhage with potential ocular damage in patients with traumatic hyphema, especially black patients, supports the benefit of hospitalization and the administration of aminocaproic acid.