Blindness following soft tissue trauma in a child with haemophilia A

Abstract

Traumatic retrobulbar haemorrhage, if not promptly recognised and treated, may result in acute vision loss because of compression of the optic nerve and its vascular supply. Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy may contribute to the rapid onset of this phenomenon, thus making urgent diagnosis and treatment even more critical. This article reports a case of retrobulbar haemorrhage in an 8-year-old boy with factor VIII deficiency (haemophilia A or classic haemophilia) who delayed in seeking professional help and consequently developed permanent blindness. Minor injuries in patients with bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy were proven to result in severe complications, especially when these affect the eye.