Subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel in eye)

Overview

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is the bursting of a tiny blood vessel in the protective tissue covering the eye. This clear tissue, called the conjunctiva (kun-JUNK-tih-vuh), covers the white of the eye and lines the eyelids.

A subconjunctival hemorrhage (sub-kun-JUNK-tih-vul HEM-uh-ruj) can be thought of as similar to a bruise, when a blood vessel breaks in skin tissue. When a blood vessel in the conjunctiva bursts, the blood isn't absorbed right away. Instead, it leaks between the conjunctiva and the white of the eye.

Minor trauma may cause a subconjunctival hemorrhage. But even a strong sneeze or cough can cause a blood vessel in the conjunctiva to burst. A subconjunctival hemorrhage may look alarming, but it's usually a harmless condition that doesn't need treatment. It typically disappears within a few days to a few weeks.

Symptoms

The main sign of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is a bright red patch on the white part of the eye.

A subconjunctival hemorrhage looks worse than it actually is. It should cause no discharge, pain or change in vision. The only discomfort may be itching or irritation.

When to see a doctor

If you have subconjunctival hemorrhages often or other easy bruising or bleeding, talk with your healthcare professional.

Also, see your health professional if you:

• Injure your eye.
• Have eye pain.
• Have vision changes.

Causes

The cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage isn't always known. The following actions may cause a tiny blood vessel to rupture in the eye:

• Coughing.
• Sneezing.
• Straining.
• Vomiting.
• Rubbing the eye.
• Bumping or poking the eye, or other slight trauma.

Risk factors

Risk factors for a subconjunctival hemorrhage include:

• Diabetes.
• High blood pressure.
• Certain blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin (Jantoven) and aspirin.
• Blood-clotting conditions.

Complications

Health complications from a subconjunctival hemorrhage are rare. If the bleeding is due to trauma, your healthcare professional may check the eye for complications or injury.

Prevention

If a subconjunctival hemorrhage is likely related to a medical condition or blood-thinning medicine, ask your healthcare professional about taking steps to reduce the risk of repeat episodes.

Avoid rubbing your eyes. Instead, use eye drops, such as artificial tears, if your eyes are dry or irritated.

Diagnosis

A healthcare professional or eye doctor will usually diagnose a subconjunctival hemorrhage by looking at the eye. No other tests are likely needed.

If you have subconjunctival hemorrhages often, the healthcare professional also may:

• Ask questions about your general health and symptoms.
• Do an eye exam.
• Take your blood pressure.
• Order blood tests for signs of a bleeding disorder.

Treatment

The blood will be absorbed within a few days to a few weeks. You'll likely need no treatment. You may want to use eye drops, such as artificial tears, to soothe any itchy feeling you may have.

Preparing for your appointment

In most cases, you will not need medical care for subconjunctival hemorrhage. If you are concerned about any eye symptoms related to the redness in your eye, you'll likely start by seeing your primary healthcare professional.

In some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred to an eye doctor, called an ophthalmologist.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• List any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that seem unrelated to the reason you scheduled the appointment.
• List key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• List all medicines, vitamins and supplements that you're taking, the doses and the reason for taking each one.
• List questions to ask your healthcare professional.

Preparing a list of questions for the appointment may help you make the most of your time. For a subconjunctival hemorrhage, some basic questions to ask include:

• What might have caused the bleeding?
• Is it likely to happen again?
• Do I need any tests?
• Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
• Do I need to be referred to a specialist?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you a few questions, such as:

• When did you first notice the red patch in your eye?
• Have you had this happen before? If so, how often?
• Do you recall any injury to the eye?