Noticing a bright red patch in what is usually a white area of the eye can be unnerving.
Any of these can leave you with an unsightly blood spot that has you wondering what happened.
Even healthcare professionals may not be able to determine the cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage.
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PeopleImages / Getty Images
What Is a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?
“Subconjunctival hemorrhage"is the medical term for tiny blood vessels in the outer eye that have broken.
The conjunctiva is the clear layer that covers the sclera and the lining of the upper and lower lids.
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Beneath this clear layer are the blood vessels that can sometimes break, causing the subconjunctival hemorrhage.
Blood from the broken blood vessel collects on thesclera.
Is a Broken Blood Vessel in the Eye Serious?
In this condition, the blood is found on the white part of the eye.
It is usually sparked by trauma and is a medical emergency.
It hurts and can result in permanent vision issues.
What Does a Broken Blood Vessel in the Eye Look Like?
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Despite the alarming appearance, it does not usually hurt, and vision is also unaffected.
You may only notice it when you look in the mirror.
Sometimes, you will feel slight eye irritation.
What Causes a Broken Blood Vessel in the Eye?
All subconjunctival hemorrhages are also not the same.
Healthcare providers usually divide these into two groupstraumatic and spontaneous.
Traumatic
Trauma from medical procedures or physical injury can cause a subconjunctival hemorrhage.
But even rubbing the eye can be the source of the trauma.
Spontaneous
A blood spot in the eye can also appear seemingly out of nowhere.
Your eye is clear one minute, and the next, there’s a blood spot.
Strangely enough, most patients complain of a pain in the eye when the initial vessel breaks.
Are There Treatment Options?
In many cases, a subconjunctival hemorrhage will heal over a few weeks without any medical intervention.
If you feel any irritation, you may use artificial tears or reach for an ice pack.
If you need pain relief, avoid taking aspirin since this can be linked to more bleeding.
Instead, use Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Too much acetaminophen can cause complications.
How Long Does It Take to Go Away?
While these may temporarily affect your appearance, they are not painful and typically resolve on their own.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage can be sparked by anything from high blood pressure to a sudden coughing or sneezing fit.
Usually, it will go away within a couple of weeks.
But if the blood spot persists, be sure to get it checked promptly.
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