“In the setting of a glaucoma suspect, one would monitor that patient more closely, and if the patient had other risk factors that put him or her at high risk for development of glaucoma, one could consider instituting treatment,” Dr. However, once spotted, the physician should consider keeping a more careful watch over the patient and fine-tuning the treatment regimen. Source: Donald Budenz, MD Patient managementĭisc hemorrhages resolve by themselves and require no treatment, Dr.

Optic disc hemorrhage at the outer rim of the optic disc at 12:00 consistent with glaucomatous process The appearance of a disc hemorrhage is therefore not pathognomonic for glaucomatous worsening, but often accompanies disease progression and should be taken as a potential sign of glaucoma instability.” “Studies have shown that focal visual field defects oftentimes precede or follow the development of a disc hemorrhage at a location 180 degrees away from the disc hemorrhage on the visual field, and appear within the next 6 to 8 months. “Disc hemorrhage generally indicates instability of glaucoma,” said Donald Budenz, MD, professor and chair of ophthalmology, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. EyeWorld spoke with 2 glaucoma specialists to gain a better understanding of optic disc hemorrhage and its predictive value. Their detection necessitates the utmost vigilance in patients diagnosed with glaucoma and in those who are glaucoma suspects. These small bleedings form notch-like lesions at the edge of the optic disc in the nerve fiber layer and often correlate with visual field loss.

Optic disc hemorrhage is a common clinical feature of glaucoma, indicating active disease with likely progression and visual field loss.

Dot blot hemorrhage treatment