Conjunctival hemorrhage, also known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage, is a common condition that occurs when a blood vessel in the white of the eye (conjunctiva) breaks. This can cause a bright red patch to appear on the white of the eye.
Conjunctival hemorrhages are usually harmless and go away on their own within a few weeks. However, they can look alarming, especially if you have never had one before.
Symptoms of conjunctival hemorrhage
The most common symptom of conjunctival hemorrhage is a bright red patch on the white of the eye. The patch may be small or large, and it may be located anywhere on the white of the eye.
In some cases, a conjunctival hemorrhage may also cause:
Mild discomfort or irritation in the eye
Sensitivity to light
Watery eyes
Gritty feeling in the eye
Causes of conjunctival hemorrhage
Conjunctival hemorrhages can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Eye strain: Strenuous activities, such as lifting heavy objects or coughing or sneezing forcefully, can cause a blood vessel in the eye to break.
Eye injury: Any injury to the eye, such as a blow to the head or a scratch from a fingernail, can cause a conjunctival hemorrhage.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and blood clotting disorders, can increase the risk of conjunctival hemorrhages.
Medications: Some medications, such as blood thinners and Conjunctival Hemorrhage aspirin, can increase the risk of conjunctival hemorrhages.
Treatment for conjunctival hemorrhage
Most conjunctival hemorrhages do not require treatment and go away on their own within a few weeks. However, if your conjunctival hemorrhage is severe or does not go away on its own within a few weeks, you should see a doctor.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe artificial tears or eye drops to help soothe the eye and speed up the healing process.
Preventing conjunctival hemorrhage
There is no way to completely prevent conjunctival hemorrhages, but there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk:
Avoid eye strain.
Protect your eyes from injury by wearing protective eyewear when participating in sports or other activities that could pose a risk of eye injury.
Manage any underlying medical conditions that may increase your risk of conjunctival hemorrhages.
Take your medications as prescribed.
If you have a conjunctival hemorrhage, it is important to see a doctor if:
Your conjunctival hemorrhage is severe or does not go away on its own within a few weeks.
You have any other symptoms, such as pain, vision changes, or discharge from the eye.
You have an underlying medical condition that may increase your risk of conjunctival hemorrhages.