Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2016 , Vol 19, Issue 4
EVALUATION OF SUBCONJUNCTIVAL HEMORRHAGE IN ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS
Feride Aylin KANTARCI 1, M. Nabi KANTARCI2
1Ä°stanbul Incirli Ethica Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Ä°STANBUL
2Ministry of Justice, Forensic Science Institue, Department of Forensic Medicine, Ä°STANBUL
Introduction: To evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics of elderly patients with subconjunctival haemorrhage

Materials and Method: We evaluated 47 patients >60 years of age with subconjunctival haemorrhage who were admitted to our clinic. Various parameters were recorded, including age, gender, affected eye, haemorrhage localization, subconjunctival haemorrhage recurrence, presence of systemic and heart diseases, previous ocular surgery, drug use and presence of additional symptoms.

Results: Among the 47 patients, 27 (57.4%) were male and the mean age was 67.96 ± 6.71 (range, 60–88) years. The left eye was affected in 23 cases (48.9%) and the right eye in 22 cases (46.8%). In total, 26 patients were taking antithrombotic medications associated with an increased risk of subconjunctival haemorrhage. Among these patients, 15 (57.7%) were taking aspirin, ten (38.5%) were taking warfarin and one (3.8%) was taking clopidogrel. Symptoms capable of inducing haemorrhage were observed in 23 cases (48.9%). These comprised itchiness, which can cause minor ocular trauma (19 cases, 82%), coughing (three cases, 13%) and constipation (one case, 4.35). Hypertension was the most commonly observed condition in the study population. Subconjunctival haemorrhage most frequently presented in the nasal region of the eye (51.1%). Recurrence of subconjunctival haemorrhage was not significantly associated with systemic disease, concurrent medication or itchiness.

Conclusion: The majority of elderly patients with non-traumatic subconjunctival haemorrhage were males, and non-traumatic subconjunctival haemorrhage was most frequently observed in the nasal region of the eye. The parameters most frequently associated with subconjunctival haemorrhage were hypertension and aspirin use. Keywords : Conjunctiva; Eye Hemorrhage; Fibrinolytic Agents; Geriatrics; Hypertension