More BrandsA subconjunctival haemorrhage can sound like a scary condition, and chances are you will panic if you have one. In layman’s terms, a subconjunctival haemorrhage is a broken blood vessel in your eye, but there is usually no cause to worry. In rare cases, it may require treatment, but the problem usually disappears by itself within one to three weeks without causing any pain.
A blood vessel in the eye may break for a variety of reasons and there are certain factors that increase the risk, as EyeHealthWeb explains. The blood vessels in the conjunctiva (the clear surface of your eye) have very fragile walls, so it doesn’t take much for them to break; you may end up with a subconjunctival haemorrhage from mundane things such as sneezing, coughing or rubbing your eyes. Vomiting, straining and crying can also lead to broken blood vessels in the eye.
Some medications and nutritional supplements can increase the risk of a subconjunctival haemorrhage, including warfarin, aspirin, Plavix and vitamin E in high doses, as these can act as blood-thinners, thus making the occurrence of a haemorrhage more likely.
If you get a subconjunctival haemorrhage as a result of blunt trauma, treatment may be required to facilitate the healing process. It is recommended that you visit your doctor as an examination will be able to determine if the eye has been damaged at all.
In order to avoid subconjunctival haemorrhages, it is suggested that you wear protective gear when appropriate, such as during sporting events or when exposed to an environment with flying objects or particles.
