Idiopathic Hemolacria: a case report

A Jha

doi:10.3126/jpan.v9i2.36292

Abstract

Hemolacria or bloody tears is a rare condition resulting from local and systemic causes. Most of the time cause remains unknown and is inferred to be psychogenic in nature. Management includes identification of the cause along with psycho-social intervention. Here I report a rare presentation of bloody tears in a 16 year adolescent female admitted in our inpatient facility with history and discussion.

Highlights

Hemolacria in its literal sense means bloody tears
Some of the identifiable causes are trauma, bacterial conjunctivitis, lacrimal sac infections, conjunctival capillary hemangiomas, conjunctival telangiectasia, lacrimal sac tumors, sino-nasal tumors, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, henoch-schonlein purpura, retrograde epistaxis, and vicarious menstruation.In some literature, it has been mentioned as a part of dissociative disorder.[2]
CASE - HISTORY I report a case of 16-year adolescent female referred from Ophthalmology out-patient presenting with hemolacria for six months duration

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Hemolacria in its literal sense means bloody tears. There is sparse literature in the aforementioned condition stating it as being a rare condition.[1]. CASE - HISTORY I report a case of 16-year adolescent female referred from Ophthalmology out-patient presenting with hemolacria for six months duration. Local examination revealed no abnormality was admitted for the clarification of the origin of bleeding. She had four episodes of bilateral hemolacria. She had three episodes of dissociation over a month. Local examination revealed blood coming from bilateral outer canthus with normal anterior segments bilaterally with no evidence of the origin of bleed. Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), Draw a Person Test (DAPT) and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) was applied which pointed out stressors in the family along with anxiety traits not amounting to syndromal level She was kept under observation for the three weeks where family members were psychoeducated, life skills, emotional regulation and coping mechanisms were discussed.

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

Haemolacria: A Rare Condition That Makes People Cry