A burst blood vessel in your eye looks alarming, but it is usually harmless. The medical name is a subconjunctival hemorrhage. It happens when a tiny blood vessel breaks just beneath the clear surface of your eye. The blood pools there, creating a bright red patch on the white of the eye. In most cases, no treatment is needed. The eye heals on its own within one to two weeks, and the redness fades gradually like a bruise.
What Exactly Is a Burst Blood Vessel in the Eye?
The conjunctiva is the thin, transparent membrane that covers the white part of your eye. It contains many tiny blood vessels. When one of these vessels breaks, blood leaks into the space between the conjunctiva and the white part of the eye, called the sclera. Because this space is narrow, the blood spreads out in a thin layer.
This is why the red patch can look large even though the amount of blood is small. The condition is almost never painful. You may not even notice it until someone points it out, or until you look in a mirror. Your vision is not affected because the blood is on the surface, not inside the eye itself.
What Causes a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?
Often there is no clear cause. Many people wake up with a red eye and cannot remember any specific event that triggered it. When a cause is identified, it is usually something minor that briefly raises pressure in the blood vessels of the eye. Common triggers include coughing hard, sneezing forcefully, straining during a bowel movement, lifting something heavy, or rubbing the eye vigorously.
Eye trauma can also cause it. A direct blow to the eye, even a mild one, can break a vessel. People who wear contact lenses can sometimes develop one from inserting or removing the lenses roughly. Certain medical conditions make these hemorrhages more likely. High blood pressure is a known risk factor. Blood-thinning medications, including aspirin and warfarin, can also make you more prone to this condition.
How To Treat A Burst Blood Vessel In Your Eye
There is no treatment that makes the blood disappear faster. The body clears the trapped blood on its own. The process is similar to how a bruise on your skin fades. The red patch may turn slightly yellow or brown before it clears completely. This is normal and a sign that healing is progressing.
Artificial tears can be used if the eye feels dry or slightly irritated. They do not treat the hemorrhage itself, but they can keep the eye comfortable. Do not use eye drops that claim to remove redness. These drops shrink blood vessels, but they do not remove the pooled blood. They also can cause rebound redness when they wear off.
You should not rub the eye. Rubbing can irritate the area and may cause additional bleeding. Avoid strenuous activity for a few days if you can. This does not speed healing, but it may reduce the risk of another vessel breaking while the first one is healing.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Most subconjunctival hemorrhages do not require medical attention. However, certain signs warrant a doctor visit. If you have pain in the eye, changes in vision, or the hemorrhage appeared right after an injury to the head or eye, seek medical care. These symptoms are not typical of a simple burst vessel and need evaluation.
You should also see a doctor if the hemorrhage does not improve within two weeks, or if you get them repeatedly without a clear cause. Recurrent hemorrhages can be a sign of an underlying condition such as high blood pressure or a bleeding disorder. If you are taking blood thinners and develop a subconjunctival hemorrhage, it is reasonable to let your prescribing doctor know, especially if it happens more than once.
One important point: a subconjunctival hemorrhage is different from a hyphema. A hyphema is bleeding inside the front chamber of the eye, and it is a medical emergency. If the colored part of your eye (the iris) is covered in blood, or if you have pain and blurred vision, go to an emergency room immediately.
How Long Does It Take to Heal?
Complete healing typically takes one to two weeks. The size of the hemorrhage influences the timeline. A small patch may clear in a few days. A larger one can take the full two weeks or slightly longer. The blood does not disappear all at once. It fades from the edges toward the center, similar to a bruise.
There is nothing you can do to speed this up. The body breaks down the trapped blood cells and clears them through normal processes. Some people notice the eye looks slightly yellowish before it returns to normal. This is the final stage of clearing and is not a cause for concern.
Can You Prevent a Burst Blood Vessel in the Eye?
Because many hemorrhages happen without a clear cause, prevention is not always possible. When a trigger is known, you can take steps to reduce your risk. If you strain during bowel movements, increasing fiber and water intake can help. If coughing hard is a trigger, treating the underlying cough may reduce your risk.
For people with high blood pressure, keeping it under control is the most meaningful preventive step. Uncontrolled hypertension is a known contributor to these hemorrhages. If you take blood thinners, do not stop them on your own. Discuss any concerns with your doctor. The risk of a subconjunctival hemorrhage is generally minor compared to the stroke or clot risk that blood thinners prevent.
Common Myths About Burst Blood Vessels in the Eye
One common myth is that a burst blood vessel means you are at high risk of a stroke. There is no strong evidence linking a single subconjunctival hemorrhage to future stroke risk. The exception is when the hemorrhage is a sign of uncontrolled high blood pressure, which itself is a stroke risk factor. The hemorrhage itself is not the problem; the blood pressure is.
Another myth is that eye drops can make the blood go away. They cannot. The blood is trapped in tissue, not in a vessel that can be constricted. Redness-relieving drops only temporarily shrink other vessels, which does nothing for the pooled blood.
Some people believe that a burst vessel means they should stop taking their blood thinner. This is not a decision to make on your own. Stopping a blood thinner can carry serious risks. Always consult the prescribing doctor before making any change.
When a Red Eye Is Something More Serious
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is one of several conditions that can make your eye look red. Others include conjunctivitis (pink eye), uveitis, and acute angle-closure glaucoma. These conditions have different symptoms. Conjunctivitis usually involves itching, discharge, or a gritty feeling. Uveitis often causes pain and light sensitivity. Acute angle-closure glaucoma causes severe pain, headache, nausea, and blurred vision.
If your eye is red and you have any of these other symptoms, do not assume it is a burst vessel. Seek medical evaluation. The key difference with a subconjunctival hemorrhage is the absence of symptoms. If the only issue is a red patch and you feel completely normal, it is almost certainly a harmless hemorrhage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a burst blood vessel in the eye cause blindness?
No. A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs on the surface of the eye and does not affect vision. If you have vision changes along with a red eye, seek medical care immediately.
How long does a burst blood vessel in the eye take to heal?
Most heal within one to two weeks. The red patch fades gradually, sometimes turning yellowish before it clears completely.
Should I go to the emergency room for a burst blood vessel in my eye?
Not usually. Go to an emergency room only if you have eye pain, vision changes, or blood covering the colored part of your eye. These symptoms suggest a more serious condition.
Can stress cause a burst blood vessel in the eye?
Stress itself does not directly break a vessel, but it can raise blood pressure, which is a known risk factor. If you have recurrent hemorrhages, it is worth checking your blood pressure.
