Topical aminocaproic acid to prevent rebleeding in cases of traumatic hyphema.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of topical aminocaproic acid on the incidence of rebleeding after traumatic hyphema.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized double blind clinical trial investigated 132 consecutive cases of traumatic hyphema referred to the emergency room of Farabi Eye Hospital in 1998-1999. The patients were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1 received cycloplegic drops only. Group 2 received cycloplegic drops and 2% carboxy polymethylene (CPM) gel as placebo. Group 3 was treated with cycloplegic drops and 25% aminocaproic acid (ACA) in CPM gel (supplied by Messrs. Sina Darou). All patients were treated for five days on an outpatient basis, with a two-week follow-up. The incidence of rebleeding, time needed for clot absorption, and complications of hyphema were recorded and analyzed using the chi-square and Student's t-tests and logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS: Rebleeding occurred in 8 eyes of 52 patients in group 1 (15.4%), 7 eyes of the 39 patients in group 2 (17.9%) and 5 eyes of the 41 patients in group 3 (12.2%). This difference was not significant. The time needed for clot absorption in groups 1, 2 and 3 was respectively 9.5 +/- 3.9, 9.3 +/- 4.2 and 11.15 +/- 4.7 days, the difference between group 3 and the other two groups being statistically significant (p<0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Topical 25% ACA is not effective in reducing the incidence of rebleeding and lengthens the time needed for clot absorption.