Vitreous haemorrhage is bleeding into the clear gel (vitreous) that fills the back of the eye. The blood scatters and blocks light, causing a sudden shower of floaters, a smoky haze, or a near-complete loss of vision. The priority is an urgent assessment to find the cause — commonly a retinal tear or detachment, diabetic eye disease, or a retinal vein occlusion — because a tear or detachment needs prompt repair. Many small bleeds clear on their own with the cause treated by laser or injection; a non-clearing or dangerous haemorrhage is treated with a keyhole vitrectomy from £6,500 per eye, all-inclusive.
Sudden floaters or a “curtain” with loss of vision? A vitreous haemorrhage can hide a retinal tear or detachment. Seek same-day eye care — NHS eye casualty is free and open 24/7 — so a sight-threatening cause is not missed.
Arrange urgent assessmentWhat is a vitreous haemorrhage?
The vitreous is the transparent gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina. A vitreous haemorrhage occurs when blood leaks into this gel from damaged or abnormal retinal blood vessels. Because the blood sits directly in the light path, even a small bleed can dramatically blur or black-out vision in the affected eye.
The commonest causes are a retinal tear or detachment (where a vessel is torn as the retina rips), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (fragile new vessels that bleed), and retinal vein occlusion. Trauma and other retinal vascular disease can also be responsible. Identifying the cause is the most important step — a tear or retinal detachment must be treated urgently, while diabetic and vein-occlusion bleeds need the underlying disease controlled with laser or injections.
Symptoms of a vitreous haemorrhage
- A sudden shower of new floaters — spots, streaks or cobwebs
- A reddish or smoky haze over the vision
- Sudden blurring or loss of vision, sometimes almost complete
- Shadows that shift as you move your eye and the blood settles
- Vision often worse on waking then clearing a little as blood settles down
Treatment options
Treatment depends entirely on the cause and on whether the retina underneath is torn or detached. The first job is always to examine the retina — and if the bleed blocks the view, to use B-scan ultrasound to check the retina is attached.
Surgery is performed by our vitreoretinal surgery team. Where a tear or detachment is found, see our retinal detachment surgery page; persistent harmless floaters after the blood clears are covered on our floaters treatment page.
What happens during surgery
When a vitrectomy is needed it is a day-case keyhole procedure under local or general anaesthetic, usually taking 45–90 minutes:
- Anaesthetic is given and three tiny ports are made in the white of the eye (pars plana).
- A vitrectomy removes the blood-filled gel, immediately clearing the light path.
- With the view restored, the surgeon treats the cause — laser to a tear or diabetic retina, and repair of any detachment.
- If a tear or detachment is present, a gas bubble or oil is added and you posture as instructed.
- The ports are closed and the eye is shielded. You usually go home the same day.
Recovery week-by-week
If the retina was attached and no gas was used, vision often improves quickly once the blood is removed. With a detachment repair, recovery follows the gas-bubble pathway.
First few days
The eye is gritty and red. Use prescribed drops. If a gas bubble was used, follow posturing instructions and expect dark vision from the bubble.
Weeks 1–2
First review confirms the retina is flat and the cause is treated. Vision is usually much clearer once the blood is gone.
Weeks 2–8
Any gas bubble absorbs (no flying meanwhile). Diabetic or vein-occlusion eyes continue laser or injection treatment to prevent re-bleeding.
Months 2–6
Vision stabilises. Ongoing follow-up monitors the underlying retinal disease and watches for any recurrence.
Cost & insurance
Our vitreous haemorrhage fees are all-inclusive of the consultant, imaging, theatre, anaesthetic and a structured follow-up:
- Assessment + B-scan ultrasound: from £240.
- Vitrectomy: from £6,500 per eye (more where detachment repair or tamponade is needed).
- Cause-directed treatment: laser or anti-VEGF injections priced separately by the condition treated.
- Insurance: recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna and WPA — acute vitreous haemorrhage is usually covered. We handle authorisation.
- NHS: if a retinal tear or detachment is found, NHS emergency surgery is free and available 24/7.