What is the recommended head position for a patient with hyphema?

• A. Head elevated.
• B. Head turned to the side.
• C. Head bowed forward.
• D. No postural changes.

Answer: (A)

When blood collects in the anterior chamber after eye bleeding, the goal is to lower pressure inside the eye and reduce the risk of rebleeding. Elevating the head uses gravity to keep the blood pooling inferiorly away from the pupillary area and cornea, which helps reduce intraocular pressure and protects the delicate vessels from further bleeds. Keeping the head of the bed raised about 30–45 degrees also aids venous drainage from the eye, which further lowers IOP and decreases the chance of the blood obstructing vision or staining the cornea.

Tipping the head to the side or bending forward doesn’t address the IOP reduction in the same way and can even increase venous pressure, potentially worsening the hyphema. Staying flat eliminates the gravity-assisted benefit and can raise intraocular pressure, increasing the risk of rebleeding. No postural changes means missing this simple, effective measure to stabilize the situation.