Eye Conditions / Subconjunctival Haemorrhage

Subconjunctival Haemorrhage

A sudden red patch on the white of your eye? A subconjunctival haemorrhage — sometimes called a broken blood vessel or a subconjunctival haematoma — can look dramatic, but it is usually a small, painless bleed on the surface of the eye that clears by itself. An examination can confirm the bleeding is superficial, and check for injury or another cause of red eye.

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Common features

It may look serious, even when it is not

A subconjunctival haemorrhage is usually a small, painless bleed beneath the clear membrane covering the white of the eye. It often looks worse than it is — and in many cases it clears by itself.

A bright-red patch or spot on the white of the eye

Sudden appearance, often noticed by chance

Little or no pain

Mild grittiness, fullness or discomfort

Vision that remains unchanged

A patch that may spread slightly before it begins to fade

URGENT

Pain, reduced vision, light sensitivity or an eye injury are not typical of a simple
subconjunctival haemorrhage. Seek urgent ophthalmic assessment.

What is it

What is a subconjunctival haemorrhage?

A subconjunctival haemorrhage happens when a tiny blood vessel beneath the conjunctiva breaks, causing blood to collect on the surface of the eye and appear as a bright red patch.

Usually painless and surface-level

Often follows coughing or sneezing

Can occur after rubbing or minor trauma

Sometimes linked to surgery or blood thinners

High blood pressure may contribute

Sometimes there is no clear cause

Care begins with a careful look at the whole eye.

A red patch is often harmless, but the safest assessment considers the whole eye — not only the visible area. We explain what we see, what we do not see, and what should happen next.

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Why it matters

Why it can be easy to misunderstand

A subconjunctival haemorrhage can appear very suddenly, and may seem to become larger during the first day. The colour then gradually fades as the blood is reabsorbed — much like an ordinary bruise. Because it often causes no other symptoms, it is tempting to assume every red patch is harmless.

Often painless, with normal vision — easy to dismiss

Other eye conditions and injuries can cause the same redness

Only an examination can confirm the bleeding is superficial

Not every red patch is a surface bleed

Pain, light sensitivity, discharge, swelling or any change in sight should be assessed, rather than attributed to a simple surface bleed.

When to book

When should you arrange an assessment?

The bleeding follows an eye injury

Repeated haemorrhages, or unexplained bruising or bleeding elsewhere

You take aspirin, warfarin or another blood thinner, or have a clotting disorder

The redness is worsening, or has not substantially improved after two to three weeks

Come in whenever you are worried, or unsure whether the redness is a surface bleed. Do not stop prescribed blood-thinning medication without medical advice.
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Urgent symptoms

Pain, changed vision or an eye injury: seek urgent care

Eye pain or worsening discomfort, blurred, reduced or double vision, light sensitivity, severe swelling or feeling generally unwell — or a significant injury, chemical splash or suspected foreign body — are not typical of a simple subconjunctival haemorrhage. Do not rub the eye. If a chemical has entered the eye, rinse it continuously with clean water while arranging emergency care.

Severe swelling, marked redness or feeling generally unwell

Eye pain or worsening discomfort

Blurred, reduced or double vision

Sensitivity to light

Need urgent eye care?
How we approach it

Check carefully. Explain honestly.

Your ophthalmologist asks when the redness began and whether there was trauma, coughing, straining, surgery or eye rubbing, then reviews your medicines and relevant medical history. The eye is examined properly — so the reassurance you leave with is real.

A vision check, confirming your sight is unaffected

Slit-lamp examination of the conjunctiva, cornea and other structures

A blood-pressure check or medical review when bleeding is recurrent or unexplained

Usually no extensive testing

For a straightforward, painless surface haemorrhage with normal vision, extensive testing is often unnecessary. If the findings are unusual, further examination or referral may be recommended.

Time does most of the work

Treatment and recovery

Most uncomplicated subconjunctival haemorrhages do not need a procedure or prescription treatment. The body gradually absorbs the blood, often within one to two weeks; larger bleeds can take two to three weeks.

Lubricating eye drops can ease grittiness or discomfort

Avoid rubbing or touching the eye while it heals

When an underlying cause is found, care is directed at that cause

A note on medication

Do not stop prescribed blood-thinning medication without medical advice.

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Dr. JD Ferwerda
Lead Ophthalmologist · Cataract and Retina Surgeon

Dr. JD Ferwerda, MD

Dr. JD Ferwerda, MD: Dutch-trained ophthalmologist specialising in cataracts, lens exchange, retinal disease, glaucoma, and AMD.

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Dr. Artem Kozhechenkov, MD

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