An eye hemorrhage is a condition where blood vessels inside the eye rupture and bleed, leaving red splotches on the white of the eye, in the retina, or between the retina and the lens. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and eye strain are some factors that can cause eye hemorrhages. Eye bleeding from subconjunctival hemorrhages usually goes away in 2 to 3 weeks.You may notice the eye bleeding turning red to brown and then yellow. This is common and can happen more than once.
The eye is covered by the conjunctiva, a transparent tissue. A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when blood collects under this tissue.
The conjunctiva and the space between the sclera and conjunctiva have multiple tiny blood vessels. These can burst, resulting in the hemorrhage. (Learn More)
Many people do not experience symptoms outside of the visible redness of the affected eye.
Many things can cause this type of hemorrhage, including injuries, eye infections, and certain medications. (Learn More)
If the cause is known, further diagnostic testing outside of a visual examination is usually not necessary. However, the doctor may do more testing if the person has other symptoms that are curious, such as recent unusual bleeding or bruising. (Learn More)
Treatment is not always necessary. If the hemorrhage is due to an underlying disorder, treatment might be needed to get the condition under control. (Learn More)
In many cases, this hemorrhage will resolve on its own and people will not need to have any specific treatment for it.
During the healing phase, the person should keep an eye on the recovery progress. If the hemorrhage does not get better or if it worsens, they should contact their doctor right away.
If someone experiences eye irritation with their hemorrhage, the doctor might prescribe artificial tears. It is imperative to follow the usage instructions exactly to reduce the irritation. People should use great care when applying the eye drops and never allow the applicator to touch the eye.
If people start to experience pain with their hemorrhage, they should alert their doctor right away. This could indicate hyphema or another more serious condition.
When someone has a hyphema, blood collects at the front of the eye between the iris and the cornea. This is usually the result of a pupil or iris injury. Without proper treatment, it is possible to experience permanent vision issues.
If a bleeding disorder or high blood pressure is responsible for this hemorrhage, the doctor will often provide treatment for these conditions. If someone has a bleeding disorder, the doctor may prescribe a medication to reduce bleeding risk. In some cases, blood, clotting factor, and platelet transfusions can be beneficial.
A normal blood pressure reading is said to be below 120/80. If someone has a reading that exceeds these numbers, the doctor will likely to talk to them about methods to bring it down. The following are common ways to work toward lower blood pressure:
If someone is taking blood thinners, the doctor may advise that they stop taking them, or they may alter the dosage. However, it is important that no one ever stop taking these medications without doctor supervision.
When something causes blood vessels to leak into the conjunctiva, this condition can occur. In most cases, it is benign.
Certain medical conditions may cause bleeding that could put someone at risk for developing this hemorrhage. Examples of these conditions include high blood pressure, disorders that affect blood clotting, and diabetes.
When this hemorrhage occurs, there is a bright red spot on the white part of the eye. This issue usually does not cause any vision changes to the eye.
It also typically does not cause any pain or eye discharge. It is possible to feel a scratchiness on the surface of the eye.
The cause of this condition is not always something doctors can identify. It could be due to:
The diagnostic process might be done to determine if there is an underlying cause that resulted in this hemorrhage. To diagnose the actual hemorrhage, the doctor only needs to look at the eye.
If someone has recurrent episodes of this hemorrhage, further testing may be considered to see what could be causing it. The following tests could be performed:
It takes approximately 7 to 14 days for this hemorrhage to resolve. It usually requires no treatment for it to clear up.
While prevention is not always possible, taking care of the eyes and avoiding situations where eye trauma is possible are beneficial steps to take. Wear protective goggles when necessary, and always flush the eye properly should something get into it.
People who have conditions that can cause a hemorrhage should follow the treatments their doctor prescribes. Those taking blood thinners should alert their doctor if they notice any unusual bleeding or bruising.
Looking in the mirror to see a subconjunctival hemorrhage can be scary, but in many cases, this is a benign condition. However, if trauma caused it or it lasts more than two days, seeing a doctor is a good idea. There could be an underlying cause that requires treatment.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage (Broken Blood Vessel in Eye). Mayo Clinic.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: Risk Factors and Potential Indicators. (June 12, 2013). Clinical Ophthalmology.
A Warfarin-Induced Subconjunctival Hemorrhage. (2007). Optometry.
Facts About Vitamin K Deficient Bleeding. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Common Eye Infections. (June 2018). Australian Prescriber.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage. Cedars-Sinai.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage. (June 6, 2018). Cleveland Clinic.
What Is Hyphema? (April 25, 2018). American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Bleeding Under the Conjunctiva (Subconjunctival Hemorrhage). (May 26, 2017). Healthline.
Bleeding Disorders. MedlinePlus.
High Blood Pressure. National Institute on Aging.
Retinal hemorrhages are often hallmarks of many ocular and/or systemic diseases. Thus, finding them in asymptomatic patients during comprehensive eye exams may require further evaluation to determine the principle cause. It is crucial to identify and classify various types of hemorrhages because optometric management is influenced by the underlying etiology. The following are the most common categories of retinal hemorrhages and their associated diseases.
1. Subhyaloid & pre-retinal hemorrhages = “D or boat-shaped retinal heme”
2. Flame-shape hemorrhages = “Feathered” or linear retina heme
3. Dot-and-blot hemorrhages = “Round” retinal heme
4. Subretinal & subretinal pigment epithelium (RPE) hemorrhages = dark color retinal heme
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