What is Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Subconjunctival hemorrhage is bleeding that happens between the white part of your eye (sclera) and the clear membrane that covers the outside of your eye (conjunctiva).

There are many tiny blood vessels near the surface of your eye. A subconjunctival hemorrhage happens when one or more of these vessels breaks and bleeds, causing a red patch to appear on your eye. This is similar to a bruise.

Depending on the amount of bleeding, the red patch may only cover a small area of your eye or it may cover the entire visible part of the sclera. If a lot of blood collects under the conjunctiva, there may also be swelling.

Subconjunctival hemorrhages do not affect your vision or cause pain, but your eye may feel irritated if there is swelling. Subconjunctival hemorrhages usually do not require treatment, and they disappear on their own within two weeks.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• Mild trauma, such as rubbing your eye too hard.
• Severe trauma or blunt injuries.
• Coughing, sneezing, or vomiting.
• Straining, such as when lifting a heavy object.
• High blood pressure.
• Recent eye surgery.
• A history of diabetes.
• Certain medicines, especially blood thinners (anticoagulants).
• Other conditions, such as eye tumors, bleeding disorders, or blood vessel abnormalities.

Subconjunctival hemorrhages can happen without an obvious cause.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• A bright red or dark red patch on the white part of the eye.
  • The red area may spread out to cover a larger area of the eye before it goes away.
  • The red area may turn brownish-yellow before it goes away.
• Swelling.
• Mild eye irritation.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with a physical exam. If your subconjunctival hemorrhage was caused by trauma, your health care provider may refer you to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) or another specialist to check for other injuries. You may have other tests, including:

• An eye exam.
• A blood pressure check.
• Blood tests to check for bleeding disorders.

If your subconjunctival hemorrhage was caused by trauma, X-rays or a CT scan may be done to check for other injuries.

How is this treated?

Usually, no treatment is needed. Your health care provider may recommend eye drops or cold compresses to help with discomfort.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
• Use eye drops or cold compresses to help with discomfort as directed by your health care provider.
• Avoid activities, things, and environments that may irritate or injure your eye.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have pain in your eye.
• The bleeding does not go away within 3 weeks.
• You keep getting new subconjunctival hemorrhages.

Get help right away if:

• Your vision changes or you have difficulty seeing.
• You suddenly develop severe sensitivity to light.
• You develop a severe headache, persistent vomiting, confusion, or abnormal tiredness (lethargy).
• Your eye seems to bulge or protrude from your eye socket.
• You develop unexplained bruises on your body.
• You have unexplained bleeding in another area of your body.