A subconjunctival hemorrhage often occurs without any obvious harm to your eye. Even a strong sneeze or cough can cause a blood vessel to break in the eye. You don't need to treat it. A subconjunctival hemorrhage may look alarming, but it's usually a harmless condition that disappears within two weeks or so.
Summary. Although it may look alarming, a blood spot on the eye is likely to be a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Subconjunctival hemorrhages typically do not require medical treatment and will not affect a person's vision.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a red spot on your eye caused by a broken blood vessel. It might look scary, but it's usually harmless. Your conjunctiva – the clear membrane that covers your eye – has a lot of tiny blood vessels. When blood gets trapped beneath this layer, it's called subconjunctival.
Pink eye is most often caused by a viral infection. It also can be caused by a bacterial infection, an allergic reaction or — in babies — an incompletely opened tear duct.
The blood vessels can break and leak blood when the eye is injured or someone has a quick spike in blood pressure. The blood collects between the conjunctiva and the sclera (SKLAIR-uh), leaving a bright red spot on the eye's surface.
Broken blood vessel in the eye
Even a strong sneeze or cough can cause a blood vessel to break in the eye. You don't need to treat it. A subconjunctival hemorrhage may look alarming, but it's usually a harmless condition that disappears within two weeks or so.
Most cases of viral pink eye are mild. It usually clears up in 7 to 14 days without treatment and without any long-term consequences. However, in some cases, viral conjunctivitis can take 2 to 3 weeks or more to clear up.
Allergens such as pollen, dust, and pet dander can accumulate in your bedroom and irritate your eyes throughout the night. Similarly, dry air, either naturally occurring or caused by heating and cooling systems, can sap moisture from your eyes, leaving them red and irritated upon waking.
Stress does not cause pink eye, but one cause of viral conjunctivitis is the herpes virus, which stays dormant in a person's body and can be activated when they experience stress. This can lead to cold sores on the lip, skin rashes, or eye infections such as pink eye.
The blood vessels may break when you sneeze, cough, vomit, strain, or bend over. Sometimes there is no clear cause. The blood may look alarming, especially if the spot is large. If there is no pain or vision change, there is usually no reason to worry, and the blood slowly will go away on its own in 2 to 3 weeks.
Physical stress (in the form of straining) may cause a popped blood vessel in the eye, but psychological stress is not considered a direct cause.
What is an Eye Stroke? An eye stroke, or anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, is a dangerous and potentially debilitating condition that occurs from a lack of sufficient blood flow to the tissues located in the front part of the optic nerve.
Why is the skin under my eyes red? There can be several different causes for the bumps around your eyes: bacterial infections,¹⁴ milia caused by keratin trapped under the skin,¹⁵ or chalazia,¹⁶ which results from a blocked oil gland. Allergies can also be a contributing factor.
Generally speaking, you only need to be concerned about a broken blood vessel in the eye under specific circumstances. First, if the subconjunctival hemorrhage is accompanied by other worrisome symptoms, such as signs of an infection, the overall situation could be an emergency.
Most cases of pink eye get better on their own. Go to the doctor if: You have a lot of pain in your eye. Your eye is very red.
Call a healthcare professional for an appointment if you have red eye that doesn't clear up after several days, especially if you have thick pus or mucous for week or more. Contact your eye care professional if: You're having eye redness with pain. You've had eye surgery or an eye injection in the past.
There are eye conditions with similar symptoms to pink eye. It's common to mistake allergies, styes, iritis, keratitis, and blepharitis for it. They can have different causes and require different treatments. Protect your eye health by setting up an exam with our team.
Treatment. You may want to use eye drops, such as artificial tears, to soothe any scratchy feeling you may be experiencing. Beyond that, the blood will absorb within about 1 to 2 weeks, and you'll need no treatment.
Several things could be to blame, but the most common causes of pink eye are: Viruses, including the kind that causes the common cold. Bacteria. Allergens such as pollen, dust, or smoke.
For bacterial conjunctivitis, the symptoms usually begin 24 to 72 hours after exposure to the infection. For viral conjunctivitis, the onset of symptoms can range from 12 hours to 12 days after infection. The symptoms can persist for several days, or rarely, for 2 to 3 weeks.
Signs and symptoms
Pink or red color in the white of the eye from visible blood vessels. Swelling of the eyelids or thin layer that lines the white of the eye. Crusting of eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning. Watery, teary eyes.
Stay home for at least 24 hours after beginning antibiotic drops for bacterial pink eye treatment. Separate and wash towels, washcloths or bedding that come in contact with your eye area from the rest of your laundry. Dispose of contact lenses, cases, and cleaning solution worn since contracting pink eye.
Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a common cause of red eye that is characterized by blood under the conjunctiva, usually localized to one sector of the eye. In severe cases, the entire sclera may be obstructed by blood. Patients with a subconjunctival hemorrhage are otherwise asymptomatic with no pain or vision changes.