From the Guidelines
Blood vessels popping in your eyes, known as subconjunctival hemorrhage, can occur frequently due to several causes, and it is crucial to see an eye doctor if it happens frequently to rule out underlying conditions such as high blood pressure or blood clotting disorders. This condition can be caused by various factors including eye strain, coughing, sneezing, rubbing your eyes, high blood pressure, blood thinning medications, or underlying health conditions 1. While usually harmless and resolving on their own within 1-2 weeks without treatment, frequent occurrences could indicate a more serious issue. Some key points to consider include:
- Avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent further irritation
- Use artificial tears for dryness (4-6 times daily as needed) to help soothe the eyes
- Take breaks from screen time using the 20-20-20 rule (look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) to reduce eye strain
- Consider over-the-counter lubricating eye drops to help keep the eyes moist If you're on blood thinners like aspirin or warfarin, don't stop them but discuss with your doctor, as these medications can increase the risk of subconjunctival hemorrhage 1. It's essential to have a medical evaluation, especially if accompanied by pain, vision changes, or if the hemorrhages are large or don't resolve within two weeks, as this could be a sign of an underlying condition such as hypertensive retinopathy, which can cause generalized or focal narrowing of retinal arterioles, nerve fiber layer infarcts, extravascular edema, intraretinal hemorrhages, and retinal arterial macroaneurysms 1. Additionally, retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is another condition that can cause vision loss and is associated with risk factors such as older age, arteriosclerosis, systemic arterial hypertension, and diabetes 1.
From the Research
Possible Causes of Blood Vessels Popping in the Eyes
- Diabetic retinopathy: This condition is associated with inflammation and can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eyes 2, 3.
- Dry eye disease: This condition can cause irritation and inflammation in the eyes, leading to popping or bursting of blood vessels 4, 5.
- Other factors: Such as high blood pressure, trauma, or certain medications, but these are not directly related to the studies provided.
Relationship Between Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Eye Health
- Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy and dry eye disease 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Studies have shown that omega-3 supplements can improve tear film characteristics, reduce inflammation, and alleviate symptoms of dry eye syndrome 4, 5.
Limitations of the Studies
- The studies provided do not directly address the question of why blood vessels are popping in the eyes, but rather discuss the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and eye health 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Study 6 is not relevant to the question as it discusses patient-centered appointment scheduling and does not relate to eye health or blood vessels popping in the eyes.