meIt can be truly shocking to look in the mirror and see that the whites of your eyes have changed.Red. Especially if you can still see well and are completely pain-free.
There is a possibility of a subconjunctival hemorrhage or bursting of a blood vessel in the eye. This sounds a lot weirder than it really is.
“It's kind of like a bruise. It looks scary, but it's usually nothing to worry about,” explains Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo, an ophthalmologist based in Oakland, New Jersey.
Bleeding may heal on its own, but it doesn't happen immediately.
It's reassuring, but you're probably wondering where this stuff came from and if you can get rid of it faster. Learn more about what causes broken blood vessels in the eye and how to treat them here.
What causes blood vessels to burst in the eye?
Subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when the small blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the clear surface of the eye, break. When a blood vessel ruptures, similar to a bruise on the skin, blood leaks into the surrounding area. But instead of pooling under the skin, blood pools between the conjunctiva and sclera, the white outer layer of the eye, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). This can cause the entire eye to become red and even make the eye appear to bleed.
So why do eye blood vessels burst? “In most cases, subconjunctival hemorrhages appear suddenly after some kind of strain that causes a blood vessel to rupture,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo. Tension quickly raises blood pressure, putting more pressure on the blood vessels in the eyes until they burst, she adds.
According to Dr. Hilal-Campo, common causes of subconjunctival hemorrhage include:
- cough
- severe sneezing
- throw up
- struggle to poop
- Eye injuries (such as being stabbed in the eye)
- Rubbing my eyes too hard
Subconjunctival hemorrhages can happen to anyone, but you are more likely to be affected if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or glaucoma, which makes the blood vessels in your eyes more susceptible to damage.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), contact lens wearers are more prone to blood vessels bursting. This is because lenses generally make eye injuries more prone to occur.
“Protruding blood vessels are kind of like bruises. They look scary, but they’re usually nothing to worry about.” —Ophthalmologist Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo
Treatment of broken eye blood vessels
No specific treatment has been shown to cure burst blood vessels (or help them heal faster). According to the AAO, your eyes will get better on their own within a few weeks.
“If your eyes feel irritated or itchy, you can use artificial tears,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo.
If you have swelling around the eye due to an injury, using ice can provide comfort, according to the NLM.
And if you're wondering if using an eye whitener like Visine will make your redness go away, the answer is no. “It’s formulated to help brighten bloodshot eyes,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo. “It can’t remove small pools of blood that form due to burst blood vessels.”
Can blood vessels in the eyes be prevented from bursting?
Managing any risk factors you may have, such as underlying medical conditions, can reduce your chances of bursting a blood vessel in your eye. Other prevention tips you can try include the following, according to the Cleveland Clinic:
- Work with your doctor to make sure any underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, are well controlled.
- Keep your contact lenses clean
- Wear protective glasses during sports, work or activities that pose a risk of eye injury.
When to See a Doctor
Randomly burst blood vessels are usually not a cause for concern, but in rare cases they may be a sign of a bleeding disorder. So it's not a bad idea to get your eyes checked by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
“Your doctor can make sure you don’t have any other bleeding behind your eyes or in your body, which may require blood tests to check for other problems,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo.
And if your eyes hurt or you experience vision changes due to burst blood vessels, be sure to see a doctor.
You should also tell your doctor if you have frequent bursting blood vessels in your eyes. This is because their frequent occurrence may be a sign of an underlying condition that is not being treated (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or glaucoma). she adds.
frequently asked questions
How long does it take for a burst eye blood vessel to heal?
Your eyes will return to their normal white color in about 1 to 3 weeks. According to Dr. Hilal-Campo, using artificial tears can help relieve any irritation that may occur while healing.
What should I avoid if I have a broken blood vessel in my eye?
No need to take out your safety goggles. The eye heals on its own without the need for additional precautions. However, if your eyes feel irritated, itchy or burning, you may want to refrain from wearing contact lenses (if you use them) and instead wear glasses for a while.
Why did I wake up with a burst blood vessel in my eye?
Dr. Hilal-Campo says it's possible you may have been rubbing your eyes excessively while sleeping. Frequently waking up with subconjunctival hemorrhages in the eyes may also be a sign of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea. This is because sleep apnea can increase blood pressure and weaken the blood vessels in the eyes. If you suspect this may be the case, talking to your doctor about a sleep study may help determine the root cause of the problem.
Are there any complications from a burst blood vessel in the eye?
Not usually. Subconjunctival hemorrhages usually do not affect vision or harm the eye. However, if burst blood vessels are caused by an injury that also affects other parts of the eye (such as the cornea, which covers the iris and pupil), vision may be affected. So, according to Dr. Hilal-Campo, if you have symptoms beyond red eyes, be sure to tell your doctor.