How to Recognize the Symptoms of a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Sometimes a person can bleed in between the white of the eye and the eye's outer membrane. This is a subconjunctival hemorrhage. It can be a very frightening thing to see, but usually there is nothing to be alarmed about. However, it's important to recognize the symptoms of a subconjunctival hemorrhage to avoid confusing it with something more sinister. Read on to learn how to diagnose a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Mirror

Step 1

Look in the mirror and examine your eyes closely. If part of the white of your eye is bright red, you may have a subconjunctival hemorrhage. There may only be one little dot in one corner or the entire eye may be red.
Step 2

Feel around the eye to determine if there is any significant pain. With a subconjunctival hemorrhage, there shouldn't be any pain. Slight irritation or discomfort can be normal, but if there is any pain, seek medical attention.
Step 3

Test your vision. This is just in case the condition is more serious than it appears. Your eyesight should remain unchanged. However, if your vision is affected, there is probably another cause besides the subconjunctival hemorrhage.
Step 4

Check up on the eye over time. The hemorrhage should clear up in two weeks without any treatment. The color of the hemorrhage may change from red to yellow, which is normal. However, should your eye remain bright red after two weeks, you should consult with your doctor.
Step 5

Administer eye drops or artificial tears. This may not make the hemorrhage go away, but it does not hurt and it can relieve irritation.

Tips & Warnings

A subconjunctival hemorrhage can occur without any triggering injury. Often, it happens during sleep and is discovered in the morning. In some cases, a strong sneeze or cough may break a blood vessel.
There is no treatment for a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Most cases resolve themselves over time.
Do not use aspirin or any other blood thinners. Most likely, nothing negative will occur, but using a blood thinner when experiencing a bleeding issue is not smart, as it can lead to serious complications.
If you have recurring subjunctival hemorrhages, or if you have symptoms in both eyes, seek medical attention immediately.
In the case of infants, subconjunctival hemorrhages can be one of the signs of scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency.
Recognize that subconjunctival hemorrhages can occur from time to time in the elderly, as the blood vessels are easily damaged. However, in the elderly, the condition is still not very dangerous and should clear up on its own.