Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: Why Is There a Bright Red Spot on My Eye?

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is one of those eye conditions that can look very scary but is often harmless. It happens when a tiny blood vessel breaks underneath the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye, called the conjunctiva. The blood gets trapped between the conjunctiva and the white part of the eye, creating a bright red patch that may look dramatic.

The good news: in many cases, a subconjunctival hemorrhage does not affect vision, does not damage the eye, and usually clears on its own.

Eye clinic scene: doctor points to red eye image labeled Subconjunctival Hemorrhage as patient sits at slit lam

What Does a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Look Like?

Most patients notice a sudden red spot or red patch on the white of the eye. It may be bright red at first, then slowly fade to a darker red, brownish, yellowish, or lighter color as it heals — similar to how a bruise changes color on the skin.

Many people do not feel anything at all. Others may notice mild irritation, dryness, or a foreign-body sensation. A typical subconjunctival hemorrhage should not cause significant pain, light sensitivity, discharge, or blurry vision.

Common Causes

Sometimes a subconjunctival hemorrhage happens for no obvious reason. Other times, it may be triggered by a sudden increase in pressure in the small blood vessels around the eye.

Common causes include:

• Coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or heavy lifting

• Eye rubbing

• Minor trauma or injury

• Contact lens irritation

• Recent eye surgery or injections

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• Blood-thinning medications, including aspirin, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, or similar medications

• Bleeding or clotting disorders in rare cases

Even a strong sneeze or cough can sometimes be enough to break a tiny conjunctival blood vessel.

Is a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Dangerous?

Most of the time, no. A simple subconjunctival hemorrhage is usually limited to the surface of the eye and does not involve the inside of the eye.

However, it is still important to pay attention to the symptoms around it. A red eye is not always “just a broken blood vessel.” Other eye problems, such as infection, inflammation, trauma, corneal injury, or internal bleeding, may need urgent treatment.

When Should You See an Eye Doctor?

You should schedule an eye exam if the redness is new and you are unsure what caused it. You should be seen more urgently if you have:

• Eye pain

• Blurry vision or vision loss

• Light sensitivity

• Discharge or crusting

• A history of trauma or injury

• Blood inside the colored part of the eye

• Recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages

• Easy bruising or bleeding elsewhere

• A very large hemorrhage that continues to expand

• A subconjunctival hemorrhage while taking blood thinners

Recurrent or unexplained episodes may need further evaluation, especially for blood pressure, diabetes, medication-related bleeding risk, or other systemic causes.

How Is It Treated?

Most subconjunctival hemorrhages do not need prescription eye drops or medical treatment. The body slowly reabsorbs the blood over time.

Artificial tears can help if the eye feels dry, gritty, or irritated. You should avoid rubbing the eye, especially while it is healing. If the hemorrhage was related to trauma, contact lens wear, or another eye problem, your eye doctor may recommend additional testing or treatment.

Most cases resolve within a few days to a few weeks, and many clear within about one to two weeks.

Can I Still Wear Contact Lenses?

It depends. If the eye is comfortable, vision is normal, and the hemorrhage was not caused by contact lens irritation or injury, some patients may be able to continue wearing contacts. However, if there is discomfort, redness with discharge, light sensitivity, or concern for a scratched cornea, you should stop wearing contacts and schedule an eye exam.

Contact lens-related redness should always be taken seriously because infections and corneal ulcers can progress quickly.

Should I Be Worried About Blood Pressure?

A single subconjunctival hemorrhage does not automatically mean you have high blood pressure. However, high blood pressure can be a risk factor, especially if the hemorrhage happens repeatedly or occurs with no clear trigger.

If you have recurrent episodes, it is reasonable to have your blood pressure checked and review your medical history and medications with your primary care doctor or eye doctor.

The Bottom Line

A subconjunctival hemorrhage can look alarming, but it is often a harmless surface-level bruise on the eye. Most cases clear without treatment and do not affect vision. Still, an eye exam is recommended if you have pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, discharge, trauma, blood thinner use, or repeated episodes.

At OPT-ISM, we can evaluate red eyes, check for more serious causes, and help determine whether your subconjunctival hemorrhage is simple or needs further attention.