The use of tissue plasminogen activator in post-traumatic total hyphaema.
BACKGROUND
We wanted to evaluate whether intracameral injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is useful in managing traumatic hyphaema.


METHODS
Two eyes with total hyphaema after a severe penetrating injury were treated with a single intracameral injection of 25 micrograms of tPA 5 and 14 days after the injury, respectively.


RESULTS
Most of the blood coagulum dissolved within 24 h, and in one of the two eyes the intraocular pressure decreased from 45 to 8 mmHg. The other eye was hypotonic. No re-bleeding or complications related to the use of tPA were noticed.


CONCLUSIONS
The results in these two cases suggest that tPA is a useful adjunct in managing total hyphaema.
Laatikainen
L
L
Department of Opthalmology, Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
Mattila
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000187:drug effects; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006988:Hyphema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012590:Sclera / Q000293:injuries*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator