Traumatic hyphema increases the risk of which complication?

• A. Retinal detachment
• B. Glaucoma
• C. Cataract formation
• D. Chronic conjunctivitis

Answer: (B)

Traumatic hyphema means blood has collected in the front part of the eye after injury. That blood can clog the drainage pathways of the eye, particularly the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, causing the intraocular pressure to rise. Elevated pressure can damage the optic nerve, leading to secondary glaucoma. While blunt trauma can be associated with other issues like cataracts or retinal problems, the presence of blood in the anterior chamber most directly raises the risk of glaucoma due to impaired aqueous humor outflow.