Sudden-onset haemolacria in an adolescent girl

ABSTRACT

Haemolacria, also known as bloody tears, is a physical condition in which a person produces tears partially composed of blood. Multiple disorders can cause haemolacria, including trauma, inflammation, vascular lesions, vicarious menstruation, blood disorders, epistaxis, tumours and psychiatric and systemic disorders. Often, no aetiology is identified. It is usually benign, self-limiting, and the treatment depends on the cause. A 14-year-old girl presented to the paediatric emergency department with sudden onset of bloody tears from both eyes and epistaxis for the first time. A detailed history focusing on aetiological factors was unremarkable. Systemic, ocular, nasal and paranasal examination was also unremarkable. Radiological and laboratory investigations were normal, and the patient was diagnosed with idiopathic haemolacria. High-dose oral vitamin C, prophylactic iron therapy and psychological support were provided as conservative treatment. During regular follow-up, there was a spontaneous reduction in the frequency of symptoms.

KEYWORDS:

• Haemolacria
• bloody tears
• epistaxis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ayla Akca Caglar

Ayla Akca Caglar, Pediatric Emergency Physician, MD, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Halise Akca

Halise Akca, Pediatric Emergency Physician, Associate Professor, MD, Ankara

Funda Kurt

Funda Kurt, Pediatric Emergency Physician, Associate Professor, MD, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Leman Akcan Yildiz

Leman Akcan Yildiz, Pediatric Emergency Physician, MD, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Pinar Nalcacioglu

Pinar Nalcacioglu, Ophthalmologist, Associate Professor, MD, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Onur Buyukkoc

Onur Buyukkoc, Otorhinolaryngologist, MD, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Emine Dibek Misirlioglu

Emine Dibek Misirlioglu, Pediatric Emergency Physician, Professor, MD, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.