Blood in the white of the eye! Is it something to be worried about? (Subconjunctival Hemorrhage)

One morning, when you look in the mirror, you suddenly see a large red blood spot on the white of your eye , and it's a little swollen, isn't it? It's scary. If you show it to anyone, they'll be scared too. But wait a minute before you panic. Most of the time, this isn't as serious as you think. In medical terms, we call this condition a 'Subconjunctival Hemorrhage'. Although the name sounds a bit complicated, it's actually a very minor condition.

Simply put, what's wrong with your eyes?

Okay, let's put this simply. There is a very thin, transparent membrane covering the white part of our eye (which we call `(Sclera)`) and the inside of the eyeball. This is called `(Conjunctiva)`. This membrane has many very fine, tiny blood vessels (which we call `(Capillaries)`). These blood vessels can burst very easily.

What exactly happens is that when this small blood vessel bursts, the blood that comes out of it collects under that membrane called the ``(conjunctiva)''. That's when the white part of our eye looks like a red blood stain on top.

It's understandable to be scared when you see this red spot. But most of the time, it doesn't cause any other symptoms and doesn't require any special treatment. It usually heals on its own within a week or two.

Are there any other symptoms when this rash appears?

In fact, there are usually no other symptoms other than the red spot on the eye .

• No pain.
• The eye is not swollen.
• Vision is not blurred, vision is completely normal.
• There is no discharge or pus coming from the eyes.

Most of the time, a person only realizes that they have a bloodshot eye when they look in the mirror or when someone else tells them. Sometimes, it can be a little uncomfortable, like there's something in their eye . But it's very minor.

Why do the blood vessels in the eye burst like this?

There are several small factors that can affect this. All of these things cause a sudden, temporary increase in blood pressure in our veins. When that pressure increases, those delicate blood vessels can't handle it and burst.

In addition to these, rare causes include:

The above are the most common causes, but sometimes other medical conditions can also cause blood to accumulate in the eyes in this way.

• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Blood clotting disorders

Sometimes this condition can occur without any obvious cause . In that case, doctors call it ``Idiopathic'', which means "no cause can be found."

Who is at higher risk of developing this condition?

• Age: People over the age of 65 are at higher risk, especially if they have underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
• People who wear contact lenses: These people are more prone to diseases related to the conjunctiva. Dry eyes and friction can cause blood vessels to burst.
• People who have undergone eye surgery: For example, people who have had cataract surgery are also at higher risk.

Can this cause serious complications?

In most cases, this is a completely harmless condition and does not cause any complications.

However, very rarely , it can be a symptom of another serious underlying condition. For example, blood vessel disease, blood clotting disorders (such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease), severe asthma, or a serious eye injury. However, these are very rare.

Does this need treatment? How can I get better quickly?

Usually, this ``Subconjunctival Hemorrhage'' condition does not require any treatment . It heals on its own.

If your eyes feel a little uncomfortable or itchy, you can ask your doctor about using eye drops such as artificial tears.

Most of the time, this blood spot will completely fade within two weeks. If the spot is a little larger, it may take a little longer. Just like a bruise on our skin, this spot may change color as it fades - turning from red to yellow and then disappearing.

If you frequently experience bloodshot eyes like this, your doctor may order some tests to determine if there is an underlying cause.

Do you need to see a doctor?

Most of the time, you don't need to see a doctor for this. However, in the following cases, you should definitely see your doctor.

• If there is pain along with the red spot in the eye .
• If you have any changes in your vision (such as blurring).
• If this spot appeared after a serious accident to the eye or head.
• If you frequently get bloodshot eyes like this for no reason.
• If you are taking blood thinners and have bruising or bleeding in other parts of your body.

In this case, the doctor will check your blood pressure and refer you for other tests if necessary.