The condition is harmless, clears by itself and does not need to be seen by an eye doctor.
What is a subconjunctival haemorrhage?
The conjunctiva is the thin, transparent membrane that covers the white of the eye. It contains many small blood vessels. If one of them bursts, blood seeps out under the membrane and stays there as a sharply defined, dark red patch. The blood cannot get inside the eye, and vision is not affected.
Why does it happen?
Often no cause is found, and many people discover it by chance in the mirror in the morning. Among other things, it can be triggered by:
- Coughing, sneezing, vomiting or heavy straining
- Rubbing the eye or putting in contact lenses
- Blood-thinning medicines
- High blood pressure
Symptoms
- A red patch on the white of the eye
- No pain and normal vision
- Possibly a slight feeling of irritation
Harmless and clears by itself
A subconjunctival haemorrhage is harmless and needs no treatment. It does not need to be seen by an eye doctor. The blood is absorbed over 1–3 weeks and may turn yellowish along the way, just like a bruise. Artificial tears from the pharmacy can help if the eye feels irritated.
However, see a doctor if
- you have pain, reduced vision or sensitivity to light
- the bleeding has occurred after a blow or injury to the eye
- the bleeding keeps coming back, or you also bleed easily elsewhere, e.g. nosebleeds or bruises. In that case, talk to your GP about blood pressure and blood tests
This text is general information and does not replace an examination. If you are unsure about your symptoms, call us.