What Causes Blood Vessels to Burst in the Eye? Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention Tips

What Causes Blood Vessels to Burst in the Eye?

Seeing blood in your eye can be an alarming experience. However, it is often caused by a broken or burst blood vessel on the surface of the eye and is not a cause for major concern. There are a few key reasons why the delicate blood vessels in and around the eye can rupture.

Injury

Trauma directly to the eye or head can lead to burst blood vessels in the eye. This may occur from a foreign object hitting the eye, being poked in the eye, being hit in the eye, or receiving a blow to the head. The resulting impact can cause the fragile capillaries on the surface of the eye or within the membranes surrounding the eye to break open.

Straining

Activities that involve heavy straining can also sometimes lead to burst blood vessels in the eye. This includes heavy lifting, intense vomiting, coughing, or sneezing. The high pressure and strain placed on the body from these strenuous actions can transmit to the blood vessels around the eyes and cause them to rupture.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can make blood vessels more prone to bursting. These include long-term conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis which damage blood vessels over time. Bleeding disorders can also lead to fragile blood vessels. In addition, blood vessels tend to become more delicate as we age.

Medications

Some medications like blood thinners or NSAIDs can interfere with blood clotting and blood vessel integrity. This may make bursting more likely with trauma or straining.

What Does a Burst Blood Vessel in the Eye Look Like?

When a blood vessel bursts on the surface of the eye it is known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage. This appears as a bright red patch or spot on the white of the eye. The location of the red patch depends on where the damaged blood vessel is located.

Sometimes a burst vessel can also cause bleeding under the eyelid, resulting in bruising and discoloration on the eyelid. The eyelid may appear purple, red or black in the area of the broken blood vessel.

Key Features

• Bright red patch on the sclera (white part of the eye)
• May appear as a blotch or spot of blood
• Typically painless
• Vision is unaffected
• May be accompanied by bloodshot eyes
• Possibly some eyelid discoloration if under-eyelid vessel burst

What Are the Symptoms of a Ruptured Blood Vessel in the Eye?

When a blood vessel bursts on the surface of the eye, you may experience:

Redness

The most obvious symptom is the appearance of bright red discoloration on the sclera (white part of the eye). This happens as blood leaks out from the damaged vessel and pools under the clear conjunctival membrane over the sclera.

Pain

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is usually painless. However, sometimes there may be mild irritation or a scratchy feeling on the surface of the eye.

Visual Changes

A burst blood vessel does not affect vision or cause blindness. You may experience some blurriness initially from having blood on the surface of the eye. But vision should return to normal once the blood is reabsorbed.

Itchy Eye

As the burst blood vessel heals, you may feel some mild itchiness on the surface of the eye. The eye may also feel irritated or dry.

Eyelid Bruising

If bleeding occurs under the eyelid from a ruptured vessel, it can cause discoloration of the eyelid, making it appear bruised.

What Are Emergency Symptoms to Watch For?

In most cases, a ruptured blood vessel on the surface of the eye is harmless. However, you should seek urgent medical care if you experience:

• Sudden vision loss
• Eye pain that is severe or worsens
• Blood in the colored part of the eye (not just the sclera)
• Persistent bleeding that reoccurs
• Other concerning eye trauma symptoms like blurred or double vision, nausea, dizziness or disorientation

These types of symptoms can indicate a more serious eye injury or health issue requiring emergency treatment.

When to See a Doctor

You should make an appointment to see your eye doctor or primary care physician promptly if you experience a burst blood vessel in your eye. This will allow them to examine your eyes, determine the cause, and check for any complications.

In particular, it's important to seek medical evaluation if you experience:

• Your first subconjunctival hemorrhage
• Burst blood vessels that frequently recur in the same eye
• Bleeding that persists longer than 2 weeks
• Other worrisome symptoms along with the eye bleeding
• Medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that increase clotting risks

Quick evaluation and treatment can help prevent reoccurrence, further eye damage, and other complications.

Treating Underlying Causes

If an underlying health condition is contributing to weak blood vessels that rupture easily, your doctor can provide treatment to strengthen your vascular system. This may include medication, lifestyle changes, or management of related diseases.

Preventing Recurrence

Your ophthalmologist can advise you on precautions to take to lower recurrence risks. This may include wearing protective eyewear if certain activities are causing repeat bleeding.

Ruling Out Other Issues

More serious eye injuries like hyphema (blood in the front of the eye) or retinal damage need to be ruled out. Your doctor can perform a dilated eye exam to thoroughly inspect the interior of the eye.

What Is the Outlook for a Burst Blood Vessel in the Eye?

The prognosis for burst blood vessels on the surface of the eye is generally excellent. In most cases, the bleeding is harmless and temporary.

Healing Time

A subconjunctival hemorrhage will usually resolve on its own within 1-3 weeks as the body reabsorbs the leaked blood. The redness will gradually fade during this time. Using lubricating eye drops can provide relief and prevent drying as it heals.

Complications

Serious complications are rare with simple burst blood vessels on the eye surface. However, extensive bleeding inside the eye or repeated bleeding episodes should be evaluated for underlying causes. Seek emergency care if you suddenly lose vision or have severe pain.

Recurrence

It's common for burst blood vessels in the eye to occur again, especially if you have an underlying condition causing fragile vessels. Preventive measures can help lower risks of repeated bleeding episodes.

Vision Impact

In most cases, vision returns to normal after the blood is reabsorbed. There should be no permanent damage to sight. See an ophthalmologist immediately if you experience any sudden vision changes or loss.

Prevention Tips

You can reduce your risks of ruptured blood vessels in the eye by:

• Wearing protective eyewear for sports or risky work
• Treating conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol
• Avoiding blood thinners unless prescribed
• Preventing extended straining from coughing, vomiting, or constipation
• Blinking often and using lubricating drops if your eyes are dry
• Quitting smoking to improve vascular health
• Following steps to prevent head injury like wearing seat belts and avoiding fall risks

When to Get Emergency Treatment

Seek immediate medical care if you have:

• Sudden loss of vision
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe pain in the eye
• Blood in the colored part of the eye
• Concerning symptoms of eye injury like double vision, dizziness, or nausea

These signs can indicate a more serious eye problem requiring urgent evaluation and treatment.

Take-Away Points

• Burst blood vessels in the eye are often harmless, though the redness can look alarming.
• Causes include injury, straining, medical conditions, and medications.
• Symptoms are usually limited to a red patch and mild irritation as the eye heals.
• See a doctor promptly to determine the cause and prevent complications.
• Serious symptoms like sudden vision loss or severe pain require emergency care.
• Proper treatment can promote healing and lower recurrence risk.
• In most cases, burst surface vessels resolve without permanent damage to vision.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.