Throwing up can break small blood vessels in the white part of your eye. This is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. It looks like a bright red patch, but it is usually harmless and clears up on its own within a week or two. The forceful pressure from vomiting can cause these tiny vessels to burst, and while the sight of it can be alarming, it rarely signals a serious problem.
What Exactly Happens When a Blood Vessel Breaks in Your Eye?
The white part of your eye is covered by a clear, thin membrane called the conjunctiva. Beneath this membrane lies a network of very small, delicate blood vessels. When you vomit, the physical strain can cause a sudden spike in pressure inside your head and face. This pressure can be enough to rupture one of these tiny vessels. The blood then leaks out and pools between the conjunctiva and the white part of the eye, which is called the sclera.
Because the space is so tight, the blood spreads out into a flat, bright red patch. This is the same mechanism that causes bruising elsewhere in the body, but because the tissue over the eye is so thin and clear, the blood is highly visible. The eye itself is not damaged. The internal structures that control vision remain unaffected.
Can You Pop A Blood Vessel In Your Eye From Throwing Up?
Yes. Vomiting is a well-documented and common cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage. The act of retching involves intense contraction of your abdominal and chest muscles. This increases pressure in your veins, including the veins in your head and neck. The small vessels in your eye have thin walls, and they can rupture under this sudden increase in pressure.
This is not limited to vomiting. Heavy lifting, forceful coughing, sneezing, or even straining during a bowel movement can cause the same thing. In many cases, people wake up and notice the red spot without remembering any specific event that caused it. Sometimes the strain is so minor you do not even notice it happening.
What Does a Broken Blood Vessel Look Like?
A subconjunctival hemorrhage appears as a solid, bright red area on the white of the eye. It can be a small dot or cover a large portion of the eye. It looks serious, but it does not cause any pain, changes in vision, or discharge. You might feel a slight scratchy sensation when you blink, but most people feel nothing at all.
The blood is trapped under the clear membrane, so it does not wash away or move. Over the next several days, the red color will change. It may turn yellow or brown as the body reabsorbs the blood. This is a normal part of the healing process. It can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks for the patch to completely disappear.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Most broken blood vessels in the eye are harmless and do not require treatment. However, there are situations where you should seek medical attention. If you have pain in the eye, changes in your vision, or if the blood does not go away after two weeks, see a doctor. These symptoms are not typical of a simple subconjunctival hemorrhage and could point to a different problem.
You should also see a doctor if you get these red patches frequently without a clear cause. Recurrent hemorrhages can sometimes be linked to high blood pressure or bleeding disorders. If you are taking blood thinners, you should also mention the hemorrhage to your doctor. While a single episode is rarely concerning, frequent episodes warrant a check of your blood pressure and overall health.
How Is It Treated?
There is no treatment that makes the blood disappear faster. The body clears the blood naturally over time. Artificial tears or lubricating eye drops can help if your eye feels scratchy or dry, but they do not speed up the healing process. You should not rub your eye. Rubbing can irritate the area and might cause another vessel to break.
Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can thin the blood and may increase the risk of bleeding. If you take these medications for another health condition, do not stop taking them without talking to your doctor. The hemorrhage itself is not dangerous, and the decision to change medication is based on your overall health, not just the eye.
What Causes a Blood Vessel to Break in the First Place?
The immediate cause is a spike in pressure, but the underlying health of your blood vessels matters too. High blood pressure can make vessel walls stiffer and more prone to damage. Diabetes and aging can also weaken vessel walls over time. For most people, a single broken vessel is a random event caused by a sudden physical strain. It is not a sign of a systemic disease.
Some research suggests that certain medications and supplements, like fish oil and ginkgo biloba, can increase bleeding risk. If you are taking these and notice frequent eye hemorrhages, it is worth discussing with your doctor. But again, a single occurrence after vomiting is rarely a reason for concern.
Can You Prevent It From Happening Again?
You cannot always prevent a subconjunctival hemorrhage. If you vomit due to illness, the strain is unavoidable. However, you can reduce your risk of the common triggers. When lifting heavy objects, breathe out as you lift instead of holding your breath. This reduces the pressure buildup in your chest and head. Managing constipation with fiber and fluids can reduce straining during bowel movements.
Controlling high blood pressure is the most important long-term step you can take. Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range protects all the blood vessels in your body, including the tiny ones in your eyes. If you have not had your blood pressure checked recently, this is a good reason to schedule a visit.
Is a Broken Blood Vessel in the Eye a Sign of a Stroke?
No. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is not a sign of a stroke. A stroke affects blood vessels inside the brain, not the tiny vessels on the surface of the eye. The red patch you see on the white of your eye has no connection to the blood vessels in your brain. It is a purely cosmetic issue that resolves on its own.
There is a separate condition called a retinal vein occlusion that involves blood vessels in the back of the eye. This condition can cause sudden vision loss and is associated with high blood pressure and diabetes. But it does not look like a red patch on the white of the eye. If you have sudden vision loss or a shadow in your vision, seek emergency care immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a popped blood vessel in the eye take to heal?
Most broken blood vessels clear up within one to two weeks. The redness fades gradually, often turning yellow or brown before disappearing completely.
Can throwing up cause permanent damage to your eye?
No, a subconjunctival hemorrhage from vomiting does not cause permanent damage. The blood is reabsorbed by the body and vision is never affected.
Should I go to the emergency room for a popped blood vessel in my eye?
No, you do not need to go to the emergency room unless you have eye pain, vision changes, or the blood appears after a direct injury to the eye.
Can stress cause a blood vessel to pop in your eye?
Stress alone does not directly cause a blood vessel to break. However, stress can raise blood pressure, and high blood pressure increases the risk of these hemorrhages.
