Subconjunctival haemorrhage
This page gives you information about a condition called subconjunctival haemorrhage which is often described as blood shot.
What is a subconjunctival haemorrhage?
This is a transparent covering the white part of your eye.
The conjunctiva has many blood vessels and sometimes one of these can bleed causing a collection of blood under its surface. This small bleed can look alarming; however, the condition on its own is not serious.
What might cause a subconjunctival haemorrhage?
We often do not know what has caused the bleed but below are some of the more common reasons:
- Rubbing your eye
- Coughing or vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Injury to your eye
- Eye surgery
- Taking medication which make you more likely to bruise, such as warfarin or aspirin
- Blood disorders
Treatment
It is not unusual for people only to realise they have a subconjunctival haemorrhage when they see it in the mirror. It is rarely painful but may make your eye feel a bit gritty.
Treatment is rarely required and the colour will gradually fade after a couple of weeks.
If you have raised blood pressure or you take medication which affects your blood clotting, you will need to see your GP for further monitoring.
You should seek medical advice if:
- you have had a significant injury to your eye.
- your eye is painful.
- you cannot see the edge of the red area.
- your vision is affected.
- you have experienced other unusual or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Contact information
Further information
NHS Choices
Website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/red-eye