– Ed

Note the white line between the red blood and the iris, which is typical of a sub-conjunctival haemorrhage.

As much as eye diseases that manifest inside the eye can be asymptomatic, but sight threatenening, on the outside of the eye, pain is usually a good indicator of the seriousness of an inflammatory process. As a general rule, two red eyes are potentially less serious than one red eye. However, one red eye that is also painful, requires proper diagnosis and treatment, sooner rather than later.

One harmless condition that usually causes alarm because of its sudden onset and dramatic appearance, is a sub-conjunctival haemorrhage. The sufferer only becomes aware of the condition when looking in the mirror, or when someone else mentions it. There are no symptoms whatsoever.

What is a subconjunctival haemorrhage?

The conjunctiva is the clear membrane that covers the sclera (white of the eye) and extends all the way inside the top and bottom lids. A subconjunctival haemorrhage is blood from a tiny broken blood vessel located between the conjunctiva and the underlying sclera. The cause of a subconjunctival haemorrhage isn’t always known.

The following actions may cause a small blood vessel to rupture in your eye:

  • Violent coughing
  • Powerful sneezing
  • Straining
  • Vomiting

In some cases, a subconjunctival haemorrhage may result from an eye injury, including:

  • Roughly rubbing your eye
  • Trauma, such as a foreign object injuring your eye

Risk factors for a subconjunctival haemorrhage include:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Certain blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin and aspirin
  • Blood-clotting disorders

Treatment

As a rule, no treatment is required. The most disconcerting part is the appearance. The subconjunctival haemorrhage will usually disappear within two weeks or so.

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