Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Overview

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a scary-looking eye condition in which one of the tiny blood vessels below the conjunctiva breaks and leaks blood into the space enclosed within the conjunctiva. Blood from the leak can spread along the sclera below the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva acts as a pouch containing the blood until it is taken away by the natural filtration system of the body. Since the conjunctiva is completely transparent, blood can easily be seen behind it. Despite its gory appearance, subconjunctival hemorrhages are actually completely benign and no treatment is necessary.

Figure: Subconjunctival hemorrhage. Courtesy of EyeAtlas.com.

Subconjunctival hemorrhages can result from any burst of stress that is put on the blood vessels within the eye, such as intense coughing, heavy lifting, vomiting, constipation, or trauma. Individuals with diabetes and/or hypertension are more prone to developing subconjunctival hemorrhage, as they tend to have weaker blood vessels.

Signs & Symptoms of Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is readily apparent upon simply looking at the eye. There is a red, bloody patch on the white sclera of the eye. It is painless, with no impact on vision.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Treatment

No treatment is necessary for subconjunctival hemorrhages, which tend to self-resolve within about a week. If no history of obvious cause for the subconjunctival hemorrhage can be determined, it is advisable to monitor blood pressure.

[ Back to Eye Conditions A-Z ]

---

Disclaimer

The information provided by KnowYourEyes.com is intended for educational purposes only and in no way replaces the advice and diagnosis of a licensed eye care professional. KnowYourEyes.com disclaims any and all liability for injury or other damages that may result from use of the information obtained from this website.