A sudden bright red spot on the white part of the eye can appear alarming, often resembling a “popped blood vessel.” While alarming, this common occurrence is typically harmless and often resolves without intervention.
Understanding the Visible Change
What appears as a “popped blood vessel” is medically termed a subconjunctival hemorrhage. This occurs when a tiny, fragile blood vessel breaks beneath the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the sclera (white part of the eye). The conjunctiva contains many small blood vessels that are susceptible to rupture. When one of these vessels breaks, blood leaks into the space between the conjunctiva and the sclera.
The blood becomes trapped just under this transparent surface, making the red spot vivid. Despite its dramatic look, a subconjunctival hemorrhage usually does not cause pain or affect vision because the bleeding is on the eye’s surface, not within the eye itself. Most individuals only become aware of it when they notice it in a mirror or someone else points it out.
Factors That Can Lead to a Popped Blood Vessel
Several factors can contribute to a subconjunctival hemorrhage, ranging from everyday physical actions to underlying health conditions. Common physical strains are frequent culprits, temporarily increasing pressure in the small blood vessels of the head and eyes. Actions such as vigorous coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or straining during bowel movements can lead to a vessel rupture. Heavy lifting and even intense eye rubbing can also exert enough pressure to cause a blood vessel to break.
Minor eye trauma, like an accidental poke to the eye, can directly damage a delicate vessel. The use of certain medications can also increase the likelihood of these hemorrhages. Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, and aspirin can reduce the blood’s clotting ability, making individuals more prone to bleeding events, including in the eye.
Underlying health conditions also play a role. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a contributing factor, causing microvascular changes that make blood vessels more fragile. While hypertension is rarely the sole cause, it can increase susceptibility. Conditions affecting blood clotting, though less common, can also predispose individuals to subconjunctival hemorrhages.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
While often harmless, certain accompanying signs warrant medical attention. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if the red spot is accompanied by pain, changes in vision such as blurriness or vision loss, or discharge from the eye. Sensitivity to light alongside the hemorrhage should also prompt an evaluation.
If the hemorrhage resulted from a significant eye injury or head trauma, immediate medical assessment is important to rule out serious damage. Recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages without an obvious cause should also be investigated. This could indicate an underlying systemic condition such as uncontrolled high blood pressure or a bleeding disorder. Individuals taking blood thinners or those with known bleeding disorders should also seek medical advice if they experience a subconjunctival hemorrhage.
What to Expect During Healing
A subconjunctival hemorrhage typically resolves on its own without specific medical treatment. The blood is gradually reabsorbed by the body, much like a bruise fading on the skin. The healing process usually takes between 10 to 14 days, though larger spots may take a few weeks to completely disappear.
During this time, the appearance of the hemorrhage may change. It might initially be a bright red, but as the blood breaks down, it can shift to an orange or yellowish tint before fading entirely. No specific treatment speeds up this reabsorption process. However, if the eye feels dry or mildly irritated, over-the-counter artificial tears can provide some comfort. It is also advisable to avoid rubbing the eye during the healing period to prevent further irritation or potential re-bleeding.