From the Guidelines
Subconjunctival bleeding is not typically associated with blurry vision, but if you're experiencing both symptoms together, it suggests a different or additional eye condition that requires medical evaluation. Possible causes of both symptoms together could include eye trauma, severe eye infections, high blood pressure complications, or blood disorders 1. The most common age range for retinal vein occlusions is from the 6th to the 7th decade, and the major risk factors include systemic arterial hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes 1. I recommend seeing an ophthalmologist promptly for proper diagnosis. While waiting for your appointment, avoid rubbing your eyes, discontinue blood thinners only if advised by your doctor, and use artificial tears if your eyes feel dry 1. The combination of subconjunctival bleeding with vision changes is concerning because the hemorrhage itself shouldn't affect your visual acuity, indicating potential damage to vision-critical structures of the eye. Some key points to consider include:
- The loss of vision associated with a vein occlusion usually occurs from macular ischemia or edema, retinal hemorrhages, vitreous hemorrhage, epiretinal membrane formation, rubeosis iridis, and neovascular glaucoma 1.
- Retinal vein occlusions are relatively uncommon in individuals under age 40 1.
- The prognosis for vision loss due to retinal vein occlusions depends on the degree of nonperfusion and the location of the occlusion 1. It is essential to seek medical attention promptly to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and to prevent potential long-term vision damage.
From the Research
Subconjunto al Bleed Association with Blurry Vision
There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that associates subconjunctival hemorrhage with blurry vision. However, the studies provide information on the location, extent, and risk factors of subconjunctival hemorrhage:
- The location and extent of subconjunctival hemorrhage were studied in 151 patients, and it was found that the hemorrhage was more common in the inferior areas than the superior areas 2.
- Traumatic subconjunctival hemorrhage was usually detected as localized hemorrhage in the temporal areas 2.
- The risk factors for subconjunctival hemorrhage include trauma, contact lens usage, hypertension, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis 3, 4.
- The peak age of onset of subconjunctival hemorrhage was between 61 and 70 years, and the chief risk factor for older patients was hypertension 4.
Risk Factors and Potential Indicators
The studies suggest that subconjunctival hemorrhage can be caused by various factors, including:
- Trauma and contact lens usage in younger patients 3, 4
- Systemic vascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis in older patients 3, 4
- Unknown etiology in some cases 4 It is essential to perform a comprehensive work-up of a patient with subconjunctival hemorrhage to rule out underlying conditions that may be causing the hemorrhage 5.