Is a red spot on the white of the eye (Subconjunctival Hemorrhage) something to worry about? Let's talk!

Have you ever woken up in the morning, or been told by someone, and noticed a large red spot on the white part of your eye ? It's a scary sight. But most of the time, it's not serious. Today, we're going to talk about this red spot on the eye , which is medically called a ``Subconjunctival Hemorrhage''.

What is this red spot on the eye ? (Subconjunctival Hemorrhage)

Simply put, this is a red spot that suddenly appears on the white part of the eye , that is, on the part we call `(Sclera)` in medicine. It looks like a small blood spot. It can be a little scary to see, but the most important thing is that it usually does not cause any pain, and it does not affect your vision. In most cases, it goes away on its own in a few days or a week or two without any treatment. Think of it like a small bruise on the skin that appears as a blood spot, but this is something that happens inside the eye.

Why do these red spots appear on the eyes ?

The white part of our eye , that is, the `(Sclera)`, is covered by a very thin, transparent membrane. We call this `(Conjunctiva)`. This `(Conjunctiva)` has many very fine, small blood vessels. It's like a tangle of tiny threads. If the eye gets a small injury in some way, or if the blood pressure in the body suddenly increases, these fine blood vessels can burst. Then a little blood comes out from there and gets stuck between the `(Conjunctiva)` and the `(Sclera)`. That little blood is what we see as a red spot.

To be precise, it's like a small blood vessel bursting under the skin and turning blue, but to the eye it looks red because the conjunctiva is very thin.

What kinds of things can cause these blood vessels to burst?

Here are some common things that can cause this:

• If you sneeze loudly: This can happen with sudden pressure on the body.
• If you have a loud cough: Especially if it's a persistent cough.
• If you vomit: Especially when vomiting loudly and with effort.
• If you strain hard at times, such as when defecating: This is more likely to happen to someone with a dry stomach.
• If you have high blood pressure: This risk is higher in people with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• If you are taking blood-thinning medicine: For example, people who take medicine like Aspirin or Warfarin.
• Rubbing your eyes too hard: Sometimes we just rub our eyes too hard, don't we? Even then, these delicate blood vessels can be damaged.
• It can also sometimes be seen among people who wear contact lenses: if they are not used properly or if they wear dirty lenses that do not fit properly.
• If something minor happens to the eye: Maybe something minor hits you, like when playing sports, that can happen.
• If you hold your breath while lifting a heavy weight.

Does this happen to newborn babies too?

Yes, you may be surprised to hear this. You can also see red spots like this in the eyes of newborn babies. The main reason for this may be the pressure changes that occur in the baby's body during childbirth . This is also considered normal, so there is nothing to worry about.

What are the symptoms of this? How do you recognize it?

In fact, the only and main symptom of this `(Subconjunctival Hemorrhage)` is the bright red spot visible on the white of the eye . Sometimes it feels like a little itching, but most of the time you don't feel anything else. There is no pain, no discharge from the eye, and no blurred vision. Let's tell you a little more about this spot:

• This spot may get a little bigger within the first 24-48 hours. This means that the bleeding may spread a little. Don't worry too much about it. This is normal.
• Then, after a few days, the red color gradually fades, turning yellow, maybe a little green. Just like when we get a bruise somewhere on our body, the color of the scar changes. That means the body is starting to absorb some of that blood from within.

Eventually, when our body absorbs all the blood that has leaked out, the spot will completely disappear. Most of the time, it will be completely healed within a week or three weeks. For some people, it may take a few days, for others, it may take two to three weeks. It varies from person to person.

How does a doctor recognize this?

Since there is no pain in the eye with this `(Subconjunctival Hemorrhage)`, many people don't even know that something like this has happened to their eye . Either someone has to see it and tell them, or they only see it when they look in the mirror. That's when they suddenly panic, saying, "Oh, my eye is red!"

A doctor can tell right away that this is a ``Subconjunctival Hemorrhage'' when he looks at your eye and sees that red spot. It doesn't require any major tests. The doctor will probably ask you how you got it, if you've recently coughed or sneezed, if you've hit your eye anywhere, how's your blood pressure, and if you're taking any blood thinners. This will help you find the cause.

What is the treatment for this?

Here's the best news! This `(Subconjunctival Hemorrhage)` does not cause any pain or long-term damage to the eye. Therefore, it does not require any specific medical treatment. It is something that gets better on its own.

That means, if you see a spot like this, the most important thing is not to panic. It will get better on its own. It's best to give your eyes a rest.

However, sometimes if your eyes feel a little uncomfortable or dry, a doctor may recommend using an eye drop like ``Artificial Tears``. This will provide some moisture and comfort to your eyes. However, there is no special medicine to make the bloodshot spot go away quickly. Do not massage your eyes or apply heat to them for any reason . This can make the condition worse.

But, at a time like this, it's better to see a doctor.

Although this is usually not serious, it is wise to talk to your doctor or nurse in these situations:

• If your child has a red spot like this in their eye , along with eye pain. Subconjunctival hemorrhage usually doesn't cause pain. If there is pain, it could be due to something else, such as an eye infection.
• If these red spots occur frequently, it may be normal to have them once or twice. However, if they occur continuously and for no apparent reason, you should check to see if there is an underlying cause (for example, uncontrolled high blood pressure or a blood clotting disorder).
• This spot appears when there is a severe injury to the eye. It's not a small thing, like if the eye is hit hard, or if something sharp is stuck in it.
• If there is any change in vision. For example, if vision becomes blurry, if you see in twos, if your eyes become too blue to look at the light.
• If this spot does not go away for more than 2-3 weeks or if it gets bigger.
• If there is blood-like fluid or other discharge coming from the eye.
• If the entire eye is red and swollen.

At times like this, it's safest to see a doctor to find out exactly what's wrong and get treatment if necessary.

So, what are the most important things to remember about this?

Okay, to summarize everything we've talked about, here are the main points to keep in mind:

• A red spot on the white of the eye , called a ``Subconjunctival Hemorrhage'', is usually nothing to worry about. In most cases, it is harmless.
• This doesn't cause pain or damage your eyesight. Although it may seem scary to see, it's really just an appearance.
• This can be caused by a variety of things, including sneezing, coughing, straining, high blood pressure, and rubbing your eyes. Sometimes, it can even come on for no reason at all.
• This usually resolves on its own within a week or three without any treatment. The spot will initially be red, then turn yellow, and sometimes even green, and then fade.
• However, if this spot is accompanied by eye pain, occurs frequently, has a change in vision, or occurs after a serious injury, you should definitely see a doctor. Also, if you are taking blood-thinning medication, it is a good idea to tell your doctor about this.

Remember, your eyes are very valuable. So if you have any doubts, don't just assume, "This too will get better on its own," and never delay seeking medical advice! It will give you a lot of relief.

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