Haemolacria is the presence of blood in tears, which can be caused by disease, eye injuries, tumors, inflammation, infection, or systemic infections like Ebola. It can also develop spontaneously, particularly in fertile women. Visually, it can startle people and treatment should resolve the bleeding tears. Some cases may be associated with extreme stress or hormonal cycles.
Haemolacria refers to the presence of blood in tears. Concentrations may be so low that they can only be detected with laboratory tests, or the patient may appear to be bleeding from the eyes due to the high blood content. It usually appears as a symptom of disease, although in some cases it can also develop spontaneously, particularly in fertile women. Research suggests that some women produce blood in their tears in connection with the hormone cycle and may not be aware of it because only trace amounts are present.
Eye injuries can lead to hemolacria, as the eye or the area around it can leak blood that mixes with the tears. Tumors and other lesions inside the eye and near the tear ducts are another possible cause. Inflammation and infection are also associated with hemolacria, as they can cause irritation severe enough to start leaking capillaries. A physical evaluation can reveal the underlying cause, and treatment should resolve the bleeding tears and make the patient feel more comfortable.
Some systemic infections are also associated with bloody tears. Hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola burst blood vessels, causing leaks throughout the body. Patients may develop heavy bruising, bleeding from mucous membranes, and hemolacria as their bodies slowly degrade due to the infection. In these cases, systemic symptoms, including high fever, disorientation, and bruising, are all clinical signs that can aid in the diagnosis.
Visually, this condition can startle people around the patient if enough blood is present to discolor the tears. Dark, bloody tears can be especially dramatic, and people may fear that the patient is seriously ill. People who are already being treated for a problem known to cause bloody tears should report this symptom if it develops, as it may indicate that treatment isn’t working or needs to be adjusted. If no cause is known, a visit to a doctor for an evaluation may be advisable.
Some cases of haemolacria have been reported in spontaneous circumstances. Researchers theorize that in these cases it may be associated with extreme stress or psychological upset. The link with hormonal cycles is another possible explanation; if bloody tears appear only once or twice, it may be difficult to conclusively determine whether they are related to the patient’s endocrine cycle. Studies to determine why some women experience this phenomenon in connection with menstrual cycles have not been conclusive.
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