Eye Bleeding Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

"Dad, What happened to your eye?" blurted our daughter at the supper table.
"What do you mean?" said my husband, reaching for his left eye.
I nodded, "You're eye has a bloody spot on it or something. Does it hurt?"
"Nope, didn't notice," he shrugged.

Two weeks ago that short conversation occurred at our house. The white part of the eye, called the sclera, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, had a bruise. A week later, it faded away as mysteriously and spontaneously as it had appeared.

eMedicine Health online states that the medical term for this eye bleed is subconjunctival hemorrhage. This is common, generally harmless, and usually not painful. Like in my husband's case, the redness is often first noticed by someone else seeing the red spot on the white of the person's eye, or when the person looks in the mirror. Subconjunctival hemorrhage is also known as an eye bruise.

What Causes Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?

According to Epocrates and eMedicine Health online medical resources, subconjunctival hemorrhages can be caused by simple everyday acts, like a cough, sneeze, straining while using the bathroom, if ill with an eye infection, or strain of vomiting. Conditions such as high blood pressure, blood disorders, and of course eye injuries can cause subconjunctival hemorrhages.

Some eye allergic reactions and chemical reactions can also cause eye bleed, also known as an eye bruise. Most often, no reason at all is known for the spontaneous little burst of an eye's blood vessel known as the subconjunctival hemorrhage.

How is Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Diagnosed?

If there are no symptoms, no visit to the doctor is needed. The redness goes away in a few days or up to two weeks on its own.

If any of the following symptoms occur, then a trip to the doctor is most certainly in order: vision changes, swelling, rash, itching, pain, tenderness, fever, or eye discharge or weeping, eye injury, blood disorder history, or high blood pressure history.

The family doctor may suggest the person go to an ophthalmologist for this exam. An ophthalmologist is an eye specialist who has all the specific testing equipment and materials for a variety of eye disorders. Health history is taken, the history of the current instance of subconjunctival hemorrhage, and an exam takes place. Investigations for various infections and foreign bodies in the eye may be done with cultures, x-rays, and testing may be done for glaucoma.

Treatment Options for Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Most eye bleeds do not need any treatment at all. Depending upon the area involved, they spontaneously heal from over a few days to about 2 weeks without pain, swelling, or any complications. According to the online medical resource e-Health, over-the-counter artificial tears are a common home treatment for these minor irritations.

Like bruises change color as they heal, so do subconjunctival hemorrhages. Eye bleed colors change slightly different than bruises, however, from red to orange to yellow. This is unlike bruises that change through shades of blue, black and sometimes green as it is seen through the skin instead of on the surface of the whites of the eye.

Ophthalmologists may prescribe antibiotic ointments or drops for subconjunctival hemorrhage caused by an eye injury, according to epocrates.com medical resources. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that a subconjunctival hemorrhage usually looks worse than it is. With time, most often this little eye bruise or eye bleed goes away on its own. A licensed ophthalmologist or general practice physician may help appropriately assess and treat the subconjunctival hemorrhage if needed.

Disclaimer

This or any other online article content cannot replace medical advice from licensed professionals. Online content is for informational purposes only. Please seek counsel from a licensed health professional for this or any medical issue.