Outpatient management of small traumatic hyphaemas: is it safe?

In this prospective study patients with small traumatic hyphaemas were managed as ambulatory outpatients. No routine systemic or topical treatment was given. The patients were reviewed daily in the Casualty Department until the blood had cleared, after which they were examined fully. The incidence of rebleeding and the number of days for the blood to clear were comparable to figures for hospitalised bed-bound patients. Nine patients (21%) defaulted from follow-up. Outpatient management of small traumatic hyphaemas is safe in compliant patients and may save valuable resources.