Young woman's 'flying stone' eye condition linked to menstrual straining

A young woman in Kaohsiung experienced a peculiar sensation in her right eye, describing it as a "flying stone" lodged beneath her eyeball. The 20-something patient noticed the foreign body sensation and, upon checking a mirror, saw what appeared to be a small, greyish-black stone on her eye. Despite no history of trauma or blood disorders, the cause remained a mystery until further investigation.

After surgical removal, the object was found to be a hardened blood clot. Dr. Hung Chi-ting, CEO of Dat Yang Eye Clinic, explained that the patient had no pre-existing conditions like kidney stones, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Initial examinations revealed no external injuries to the eye. The removed mass, upon biopsy, showed signs of hemosiderin and melanin deposits, indicating it was indeed a blood clot that had gradually mineralized.

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The patient's right eye had a stone at the 7 o'clock position, and there was also a blood vessel above the stone.

Further inquiry revealed a connection to the patient's menstrual cycle. She reported experiencing severe constipation during her period, leading her to strain excessively during bowel movements. Dr. Hung explained that this strenuous effort can cause intraocular bleeding. While intraocular bleeding typically resolves on its own and usually doesn't significantly affect vision, this case of a mineralized blood clot forming a "stone" is particularly unusual.

Dr. Hung noted that hormonal fluctuations and changes in the fibrinolytic system during menstruation can sometimes lead to nosebleeds, coughing up blood, blood in stool, blood in urine, or bruising. However, the formation of a mineralized blood clot within the eye, while rare, is not typically a cause for panic and generally has a minor impact on eyesight.

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The mineralized substance, resembling a stone, was identified through biopsy as melanin and a blood clot containing hemosiderin.