Overview
A small blood vessel under the conjunctiva breaks and blood spreads out across the white of the eye. Because the conjunctiva is transparent and the sclera behind it is white, even a tiny bleed looks alarming.
Vision is unaffected, there is no discharge, and there is little or no pain. It clears on its own over one to three weeks, changing colour like a bruise as it goes.
What are the common symptoms?
- A flat, bright red patch on the white of the eye, sharply defined
- No change in vision
- No discharge
- At most a mild scratchy awareness
- Colour fading through orange and yellow as it resolves
What causes it, and who is at risk?
- Coughing, sneezing, vomiting or straining
- Heavy lifting
- Rubbing the eye, or minor trauma
- Blood thinners such as warfarin or aspirin
- High blood pressure, particularly with recurrent episodes
- Often, no identifiable cause at all
How is it treated?
No treatment shortens it. The useful question is whether anything underlying needs attention.
- Reassurance and time — one to three weeks
- Lubricating drops if the eye feels scratchy
- A blood pressure check, especially if it keeps happening
- A review of anticoagulant medication with whoever prescribes it, for recurrent episodes
When to get seen quickly
Get seen promptly if it followed a significant injury, if there is pain or reduced vision, if both eyes are affected, or if you also bruise or bleed easily elsewhere.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Only an eye care professional who has examined you can tell you what is actually going on.