Blood in the eye
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Blood in the eye
Blood in the eye (subconjunctival hemorrhage or red eye) is caused by the breakage of small blood vessels in the eye. The red spot may look alarming, especially if it is large, but usually clears up in 2 to 3 weeks.
Blood vessels may break because of sneezing, coughing, vomiting, straining, or bending over, but sometimes there is no clear cause. Bleeding in front of the colored part of the eye (iris) may occur with an injury and is much more serious than bleeding in the white of the eye. Medications that help prevent blood clots increase the risk of bleeding in the white or colored part of the eye.
Aspirin or aspirin-related products for pain should be avoided when there is bleeding into the eye. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) may be used instead.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology |
| Last Updated | December 6, 2007 |
| Last updated: | December 06, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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