Quick Action Guide
✅ GOOD NEWS:
- • Usually harmless and painless
- • Doesn't affect vision
- • Resolves on its own in 1-3 weeks
- • No treatment needed in most cases
📞 CALL DOCTOR IF:
- • Child experiences eye pain
- • Red spot appears with vision problems
- • Happens repeatedly or frequently
- • Child has bleeding disorder
- • Red spot doesn't improve after 2-3 weeks
💡 WHAT TO EXPECT:
- • Red spot may grow slightly in first 24-48 hours
- • Color will fade from red to yellow over time
- • Spot gradually disappears as body reabsorbs blood
- • Most heal completely within 1-3 weeks
What Is a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?
A subconjunctival hemorrhage (sub-con-JUNK-tih-vul HEM-er-ij) is a red spot on the white of the eye. It can look scary, but it's usually harmless, doesn't hurt, and won't affect vision. Most subconjunctival hemorrhages go away without treatment in a few days or weeks.
Why Does It Look Scary?
The bright red spot appears because a tiny blood vessel in the conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye) has broken and bled. The blood is trapped between the conjunctiva and the sclera (the white part of the eye), creating a very visible red spot. Despite its alarming appearance, this condition is typically harmless and requires no medical intervention.
What Causes a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?
The white of the eye (the sclera) is covered by the conjunctiva (kon-junk-TYE-vuh), clear tissue that has many tiny blood vessels. The blood vessels can break and leak blood when the eye is injured or someone has a quick spike in blood pressure. The blood collects between the conjunctiva and the sclera (SKLAIR-uh), leaving a bright red spot on the eye's surface.
Common Triggers in Children
- • Sneezing: Forceful sneezing can increase eye pressure
- • Coughing: Severe coughing episodes
- • Vomiting: Straining during vomiting
- • Straining: During bowel movements
- • Rubbing: Rubbing the eye too hard
- • Eye injury: Direct trauma to the eye
Other Possible Causes
- • High blood pressure: Sudden spike in blood pressure
- • Blood-thinning medications: Aspirin, warfarin, or other anticoagulants
- • Contact lenses: Improper handling or fitting
- • In newborns: Pressure changes during childbirth
About Newborns
Subconjunctival hemorrhages can happen in a newborn too. They're probably caused by pressure changes in the baby's body during childbirth. This is completely normal and typically resolves on its own within a few days to weeks.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?
The Telltale Sign
The telltale bright red spot on the white of the eye is the only sign of a subconjunctival hemorrhage. The spot might:
- • Get bigger in the first 24-48 hours (as the bleeding spreads under the conjunctiva)
- • Fade from red to yellow over time (as the body reabsorbs the blood)
What to Expect
It goes away as the body reabsorbs the leaked blood, and most are gone in 1-3 weeks. The blood slowly breaks down and is naturally removed by the body's healing processes, similar to how a bruise heals elsewhere in the body.
Important Note: No Pain
Because a subconjunctival hemorrhage doesn't hurt, many people don't know they have one until somebody else mentions it or they look in a mirror. There's no itching, burning, or discomfort associated with the condition, which is why it often goes unnoticed initially.
How Is a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Diagnosed?
Doctors can tell if someone has a subconjunctival hemorrhage simply by looking at the eye and the spot. No special tests or procedures are typically needed. The diagnosis is straightforward and visual - the bright red spot on the white of the eye is characteristic of this condition.
How Is a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage Treated?
A subconjunctival hemorrhage doesn't cause pain or harm to the eye. They go away on their own and don't need medical care. No eye drops, medications, or special treatment is required. The body naturally reabsorbs the leaked blood over time.
When to Call the Doctor
But call your doctor if your child:
- • Has what looks like a subconjunctival hemorrhage along with eye pain
- • Gets subconjunctival hemorrhages often or repeatedly
- • Experiences vision changes along with the red spot
- • Has a bleeding disorder or is taking blood-thinning medications
What Can I Do to Help?
At Home
There's typically nothing you need to do for a subconjunctival hemorrhage. It will heal on its own. You don't need to apply eye drops or cover the eye. Just wait for it to naturally resolve.
Prevention Tips
- • Teach your child not to rub their eyes vigorously
- • Ensure proper contact lens hygiene and fitting
- • Manage conditions that cause severe coughing or sneezing
- • If your child takes blood thinners, follow doctor's instructions carefully
- • Use protective eyewear during sports or activities with injury risk
Reassurance
If your child has a subconjunctival hemorrhage, it's important to reassure them (and yourself) that this looks much worse than it actually is. It's a common, harmless condition that affects people of all ages. The red spot is just blood under the surface of the eye - it's not affecting vision or causing any damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will this affect my child's vision?
A: No, subconjunctival hemorrhages do not affect vision at all. Your child will be able to see normally throughout the entire healing process. The blood is trapped under the conjunctiva, which doesn't interfere with the eye's ability to focus or transmit light to the retina.
Q: How long until it goes away?
A: Most subconjunctival hemorrhages resolve within 1-3 weeks. The blood is gradually reabsorbed by the body, similar to how a bruise heals. The spot may grow slightly in the first 24-48 hours before beginning to fade. It will change from red to yellow to brown before disappearing completely.
Q: Is it contagious?
A: No, subconjunctival hemorrhages are not contagious at all. They're not caused by infection, so there's no risk of spreading to other people or to the other eye.
Q: Can my child still go to school or play sports?
A: Yes, your child can continue with normal activities. There are no restrictions on school, sports, or other activities. The subconjunctival hemorrhage doesn't prevent normal function and will heal on its own.
Q: Should I use eye drops?
A: No special eye drops are needed for a subconjunctival hemorrhage. The condition resolves on its own without any treatment. However, if your child experiences eye pain, irritation, or if the condition occurs repeatedly, you should consult a doctor.
Q: Is this different from pinkeye?
A: Yes, subconjunctival hemorrhage is completely different from pinkeye (conjunctivitis). Pinkeye involves infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva with discharge, irritation, and can be contagious. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is simply a broken blood vessel with no infection, no discharge, and no contagious properties.
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general information about subconjunctival hemorrhages and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. While most subconjunctival hemorrhages are harmless and resolve on their own, always consult your pediatrician or an eye care specialist if you have concerns, if your child experiences eye pain, or if hemorrhages occur repeatedly. Early medical evaluation can help rule out underlying conditions that might need treatment.