From the Research
Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a benign condition that typically resolves on its own within 1-2 weeks without any intervention, and no specific treatment is needed unless it is large, painful, affects vision, or recurs frequently. The diagnosis of subconjunctival hemorrhage is usually made based on the appearance of a bright red patch on the white of the eye, and the cause is often minor trauma, coughing, sneezing, or straining 1. According to a study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice in 2021, the prevalence of hematological diseases in patients with subconjunctival hemorrhage is less than 1%, and there is no need for evaluation for bleeding disorders in spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage is usually harmless and caused by minor trauma, coughing, sneezing, or straining
- No specific treatment is typically needed, but artificial tears like Refresh or Systane can be used 3-4 times daily for mild irritation
- Avoid rubbing the eyes and consider taking a break from contact lenses until the hemorrhage resolves
- If on blood thinners like aspirin or warfarin, do not discontinue them without consulting a doctor
- Seek medical attention if the hemorrhage is large, painful, affects vision, or recurs frequently, as this could indicate an underlying condition like high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, or diabetes that needs evaluation 2, 3
Additional Considerations
- A study published in the Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology in 2003 reported a case of subconjunctival hemorrhage as the first presenting clinical feature of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, highlighting the importance of thorough investigation in some cases 3
- Another study published in Cirugia y Cirujanos in 2003 found that a high rate of patients with subconjunctival hemorrhage presented with additional injuries, and visual acuity can be an important factor in detecting these injuries 4
- A case report published in The Open Ophthalmology Journal in 2017 described bilateral subconjunctival hemorrhage in a 3-year-old girl with mycoplasma pneumonia, highlighting the potential for respiratory symptoms to cause subconjunctival hemorrhage in infants 5