Which symptom is most characteristic of vitreous hemorrhage?

• A. Floaters and cobweb-like apparitions
• B. Eye redness with tearing
• C. Photopsia
• D. Night blindness

Answer: (A)

When blood leaks into the clear vitreous gel, it creates tiny opacities that scatter light, producing moving shadows in the visual field. The most characteristic symptom is sudden floaters described as cobweb-like or thread-like apparitions that drift with eye movement. This happens because the hemorrhage disrupts the clarity of the vitreous, so the retina perceives these particulate shadows as spots or webs.

Photopsia, or flashes of light, can occur with retinal problems like detachment or vitreous traction, but it’s not as specific to vitreous hemorrhage. Eye redness with tearing points to surface or anterior segment issues, and night blindness suggests retinal dystrophy or rod dysfunction rather than bleeding into the vitreous.