Seeing blood in your eye can be alarming. It may look like your entire eye is red or filled with blood. This condition is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. It happens when a tiny blood vessel breaks under the conjunctiva, the clear tissue that covers the white part of your eye. While it looks scary, it is usually harmless and heals on its own within one to two weeks.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when small blood vessels beneath the conjunctiva break and leak blood. The conjunctiva cannot absorb blood quickly, so it gets trapped and spreads across the white of your eye. This creates a bright red or dark patch that looks worse than it is.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage typically shows up as a bright red or dark red patch on the white part of your eye. Despite how it looks, it usually causes no pain, vision changes, or discharge. Many people do not notice it until they look in a mirror or someone else points it out.
In some cases, you might feel mild irritation or a slight sense of pressure in the eye. The red patch does not spread but may change color as it heals. It often turns yellow or green, similar to a bruise fading. Symptoms generally go away within one to two weeks without treatment.
One of the most common causes is a sudden increase in blood pressure in the delicate vessels of the eye. This can happen from everyday actions that you may not think twice about.
Direct injury to the eye, even minor ones, can cause a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Rubbing your eyes too hard can cause small blood vessels to burst. Frequent eye rubbing due to allergies can weaken blood vessels over time, making them more likely to break. Blunt trauma or accidents involving impact to the eye area may also cause bleeding.
Several underlying health issues can increase your chances of developing a subconjunctival hemorrhage. These conditions affect blood circulation and blood vessel health.
Certain medications that affect blood clotting can contribute to subconjunctival hemorrhage.
Several other factors can make you more prone to a burst blood vessel in the eye.
While most subconjunctival hemorrhages are harmless and heal on their own, certain symptoms require prompt evaluation by an eye doctor.
If you experience repeated subconjunctival hemorrhages, especially without a clear cause, this may signal an underlying condition. Frequent episodes can be linked to uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, or blood disorders. Repeated occurrences in children may also suggest trauma that needs investigation.
A hemorrhage following eye injury or trauma needs immediate attention. There may be a risk of more severe injuries like orbital fractures or damage to the eye itself. Blood pooled in the pupil area, called a hyphema, can increase pressure inside the eye and harm vision. This is a medical emergency.
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, can cause redness that looks similar to a subconjunctival hemorrhage. The key difference is that conjunctivitis usually comes with pain, itching, and discharge. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is typically painless with no discharge.
Ciliary injection causes redness concentrated around the iris, the colored part of your eye. This pattern of redness may indicate serious conditions like iritis or acute glaucoma. These conditions require immediate attention from an eye doctor.
If a subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs after trauma and you also have eye pain or vision changes, this could suggest a more severe injury. Orbital fractures or globe rupture are serious conditions that need urgent care.
Most subconjunctival hemorrhages do not require specific treatment. The blood is absorbed naturally by your body over one to two weeks. You may notice the color change from bright red to yellow or green as the blood breaks down. This is normal and similar to how a bruise heals.
While waiting for the hemorrhage to heal, you can take steps to stay comfortable.
If your subconjunctival hemorrhage does not improve after two weeks, or if it keeps happening, your eye doctor may recommend further testing. This can help check for clotting disorders, blood pressure issues, or other vascular problems.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage on its own does not usually require an eye exam. However, talking with an eye doctor can provide peace of mind and help rule out underlying conditions. At Insight Vision Center Optometry, our fellowship-trained optometrists can evaluate your eye health and address any concerns.
Your eyes can reveal important information about your overall health. Conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes often show early signs in the eyes. Regular comprehensive eye exams help catch these issues early. If you are concerned about a burst blood vessel, mention it at your next annual eye exam or schedule a visit with one of our eye doctors.
It is generally safe to wear contact lenses with a subconjunctival hemorrhage, but many people find it more comfortable to wear glasses until the redness clears. If you feel any irritation or discomfort, take a break from your contacts and switch to glasses temporarily.
No, a subconjunctival hemorrhage does not affect your vision. The bleeding occurs on the surface of the eye, not inside where your vision is processed. If you notice any vision changes along with the red patch, this is a separate concern that needs prompt evaluation.
While you cannot prevent all subconjunctival hemorrhages, you can reduce your risk. Avoid rubbing your eyes and manage underlying conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Wear protective eyewear during activities that could injure your eyes. If you take blood thinners, talk with your doctor about your risk.
Light exercise is generally fine. However, you may want to avoid heavy lifting or intense straining until the hemorrhage heals. These activities can increase pressure in the blood vessels and may worsen or prolong the bleeding.
A single episode in a child is usually not a concern, especially after coughing, sneezing, or minor eye rubbing. However, repeated episodes in children should be evaluated. Multiple unexplained hemorrhages may need investigation to rule out underlying issues or trauma.
Makeup and eye products do not directly cause subconjunctival hemorrhages. However, rubbing your eyes to remove makeup or applying products too aggressively can irritate the eye and potentially cause a vessel to break. Be gentle when applying and removing eye makeup.
