Traumatic hyphema following blunt ocular trauma is graded. A grade III hyphema (by the 4-grade system) is defined as:

• A Red blood cells in the anterior chamber without a formed clot
• B Blood filling more than 1/2 but less than total the anterior chamber ✓
• C Blood filling less than 1/3 of the anterior chamber
• D Total 'eight-ball' haemorrhage filling the entire anterior chamber

Explanation

The 4-grade system: Grade I — < 1/3 of AC; Grade II — 1/3 to < 1/2 of AC; Grade III — > 1/2 but < total of AC; Grade IV — total ('eight-ball' or 'black ball') haemorrhage. A microhyphema refers to RBCs visible on slit-lamp without a formed layer. Grade III and IV carry the highest risks of re-bleed, corneal blood staining, and secondary glaucoma. Sickle cell patients are particularly at risk even with Grade I.

Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.