A vitreous hemorrhage occurs as a result of bleeding inside the eye from retinal blood vessels. This can be a result of neovascularization (new blood vessel growth) that has ruptured, a retinal tear on or near a retinal blood vessel, vein occulusions, trauma, or a number of other reasons. The blood from the hemorrhage occurs in retinal blood vessels and enters the vitreous where it blocks light and appears to the patient as a floater. This floater can vary in size, depending on the size of the hemorrhage, from very small to complete obstruction of vision. Extensive or recurrent bleeding can cause scarring of the retina and lead to vision loss or a detachment. Usually, the body clears the blood on its own but occasionally surgery is performed to remove the blood.

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