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Last updated: June 18, 2025View editorial policy

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Differential Diagnosis for Patient Hit in Eye with Volleyball

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: This is the most likely diagnosis given the history of trauma to the eye and the presence of circumcorneal hyperemia. The force from the volleyball could have caused a rupture of the small blood vessels under the conjunctiva, leading to bleeding and the appearance of a red eye.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Corneal Abrasion: Direct trauma from the volleyball could have scratched the cornea, leading to pain, redness, and circumcorneal hyperemia.
  • Conjunctivitis: The trauma could have introduced bacteria or other irritants into the eye, causing an inflammatory response.
  • Hyphema: Blood in the anterior chamber of the eye, which could result from the trauma causing damage to the blood vessels of the iris or the anterior part of the eye.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Globe Rupture: Although less likely, a severe impact from the volleyball could potentially rupture the eyeball, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
  • Retinal Detachment: Trauma can cause the retina to detach from the back of the eye, leading to severe vision loss if not promptly treated.
  • Angle Recession Glaucoma: Trauma can also cause the iris root to recede, potentially leading to glaucoma, which could be asymptomatic initially but lead to severe vision loss over time.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Siderosis Bulbi: If the volleyball caused a penetrating injury with a metallic foreign body (like from a metal rim of glasses), it could lead to iron deposition in the eye tissues, causing various complications.
  • Sympathetic Ophthalmia: A rare, inflammatory condition that could occur after penetrating eye trauma, potentially affecting both the injured and the uninjured eye.
  • Vossius Ring: A ring-shaped deposition of iris pigment on the anterior lens capsule, which can occur after blunt trauma to the eye.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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