What Causes Flame Shaped Hemorrhages?

Flame shaped hemorrhages: These hemorrhages are diffuse, found in the posterior pole

, and last approximately 6 to 12 weeks. They occur typically in diseases affecting superficial retinal capillary plexus secondary to arterial diseases like hypertension, blood dyscrasias, and anemias.

What do flame hemorrhages indicate?

Hemorrhage from the superficial capillary plexus. Feather- or flame-shaped hemorrhages with indistinct borders indicate that blood accumulates at the level of nerve fiber layer, reflecting the structure of the nerve fiber layers that run parallel to the retinal surface.

Are flame hemorrhages seen in hypertensive retinopathy?

Hypertensive retinopathy is retinal vascular damage caused by hypertension. Signs usually develop late in the disease. Funduscopic examination shows arteriolar constriction, arteriovenous nicking, vascular wall changes, flame-shaped hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, yellow hard exudates, and optic disk edema.