Recurrent traumatic hyphema. A sequel of injury to the Schlemm canal.

A patient with recurrent hyphema following blunt trauma to the left eye was found to have an angle recession with a laceration of the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm canal. Active bleeding from the Schlemm canal proved to be the cause of the recurrent hyphema. Repeated trials of bed rest and bilateral eye patching provided only temporary control of the bleeding. Cessation of the active bleeding and subsequent resolution of the hyphema was achieved following argon laser photocoagulation to the traumatized portion of the Schlemm canal. While hyphema is a common manifestation of blunt ocular trauma, visible rupture of the Schlemm canal is most unusual. This paper describes the gonioscopic findings of a rupture of the Schlemm canal in a patient who had a traumatic hyphema and recurrent bleeding.