A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when the conjunctiva, which is clear tissue that covers the white of the eye, has a hemorrhage and begins to bleed. While this can be alarming for many, it does not necessarily mean that there is a large problem. In fact, most of the time, the problem will clear up on its own. That's not always the case though. If you find that you continually have subconjunctival hemorrhages, or if you have one that lasts for longer than two weeks, it is important to speak with a doctor to determine whether there is any underlying problem that is causing the condition, and that could be causing other problems.
What Are the Causes?
Many different things could be responsible for your subconjunctival hemorrhage. Some of the most common reasons include coughing and sneezing. Also vomiting, heavy lifting, and anything else that increases the pressure in the head could cause this to occur. Using an inversion table and hanging upside down has the potential to cause a subconjunctival hemorrhage as well. Be aware of this. In addition, if you rub your eyes often, it can cause the blood vessels to burst. Even putting in your contact lenses could cause this to occur.
Outside sources, such as infections from viruses or bacteria, can be problematic as well. Conjunctivitis is a prime example. This causes the walls of the small blood vessels to weaken, and they are much more susceptible to hemorrhaging. Those who have medical disorders that cause bleeding, or that cause the patient to have a problem clotting, will find that the subconjunctival hemorrhage can occur more frequently as well.
What Is the Major Symptom?
There are really very few symptoms associated with this condition. The most obvious sign of a hemorrhage is having a bright red patch appear on the sclera (the white) of your eye. Even though there is a bloody appearance to the eye, it does not cause any change in the vision, and there is no discharge from the eye. In addition, you will not feel pain from the condition. However, you may feel a very slight scratchy feeling on the eye's surface. Most of the time, you will only realize that you have a subconjunctival hemorrhage when you look in the mirror or when someone tells you that you have blood in your eye.
Even though pain is rare, it does occur on occasion. Some people will feel some mild pressure around the eye that can be uncomfortable. As the hemorrhage starts to go away, patients may feel more irritation in the eye as well.
After the first appearance of the hemorrhage, it will get a bit larger during the first 24 hours. After this point, the red, bloody spot will start to disappear. The blood is being reabsorbed into the body.
When Should You See the Doctor?
Even though a subconjunctival hemorrhage is not normally a big problem, it can be a good idea to see a doctor in certain cases such as those we mentioned at the start of the article. In addition, if you feel pain, have changes to your vision, or have had a recent injury or a history of a bleeding disorder, working with a doctor from the start can be a good idea. Also, those who have a history of blood pressure will want to confer with their doctor. As mentioned, increased pressure can cause a subconjunctival hemorrhage, and it could be a sign that the patient's BP is going up.
If you or a loved one has a subconjunctival hemorrhage, don't panic. Keep an eye on it and it should go away within a few days. If it doesn't, contact a medical professional.
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