A subconjunctival hemorrhage is like a normal bruise on the skin – like a bruise on the eye. It usually shows as a concentrated red spot or many singular red spots on the white part of the eye. The redness is blood under the conjunctiva, the clear membrane, which covers the white part of the eye (the sclera) and the inner eyelids.
This is a small concern. The hemorrhage is almost always completely benign and can resolve by itself. It doesn’t harm the vision and usually doesn’t cause pain. Usually there are no atypical feelings or symptoms, unless the visible red spot. Sometimes you don’t even know that you have a hemorrhage until you see it in the mirror.
The conjunctiva contains many blood vessels and capillaries (the smallest blood vessels in the body). They can rupture, causing a leakage of blood between the conjunctiva and sclera. This slight bleeding on the external membrane of the eye is what causes the bright red spot on the eye.
The most common reasons are coughing, sneezing, tension or other similar activities, which temporarily increase blood pressure in the veins, which can cause small ruptures in blood vessels or capillaries. The hemorrhage can show up due to trauma to the eye, including minor trauma such as rubbing the eyes.
Other common reasons for a hemorrhage include diabetes, high blood pressures and large intake of some medications such as aspirin or blood thinners, which affect the blood flow in the organism.
Treatment of the hemorrhage is usually not necessary. With time, the blood with clear out by itself. This can take some days or weeks, depending on the size of the hemorrhage.