Burst Blood Vessel in Eye: Causes, Appearance, and Healing Time

Understanding Blood Vessels Bursting in the Eye

Few things can be as shocking or alarming as looking in the mirror to see the white of your eye filled with blood. Known as subconjunctival hemorrhage, this rupturing of tiny ocular blood vessels can have various causes and degrees of severity.

What Causes Burst Blood Vessels in the Eye?

Fragile blood vessels run throughout the conjunctiva, the thin protective membrane covering the whites of the eyes. Forces that sharply increase pressure in and around the eye can cause these small vessels to rupture and leak blood.

Common causes of ruptured vessels in the eye include:

• Injury - Sports collisions, falls, being hit in the eye
• Rubbing - Aggressive eye rubbing from allergies or irritation
• Straining - Forceful vomiting, coughing, heavy lifting, childbirth
• Diseases - Diabetes, high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders
• Medications - Blood thinners, some decongestants

What Does a Burst Blood Vessel Look Like?

The appearance of a subconjunctival hemorrhage depends on its severity. In mild cases, you may see:

• A few small bright red spots on the white of the eye
• Veins appearing slightly more prominent but still pencil-thin
• A splash of bright red confined to one section of eye white

More severe ruptures lead to:

• Larger blood clots spreading further across the sclera
• Veins inflamed and distended with pooled blood
• Entire sections of eye whites turning bright red or burgundy colored
• Blood potentially filling up to a quarter or half of conjunctival space

Is it an Emergency When Your Eye Vessels Burst?

In most cases of bursts blood vessels in the eye, the appearance is far more shocking than the actual danger or damage caused. The conjunctiva has an extensive vascular network that minimizes vision risk from leaks.

However, seek prompt medical care if you experience:

• Sudden loss of vision or partial vision blockages
• Severe eye pain along with the hemorrhaging
• Inability to move the eye normally
• Blood pooling so extensive it could indicate a more serious tear

While rare, extensive subconjunctival bleeding can sometimes apply pressure to the retina or other vital eye anatomy. Better safe than sorry in these instances.

Post-Injury Eye Care for Ruptured Blood Vessels

Caring properly for your eye after bursting a blood vessel can minimize complications and discomfort during the healing process. Recommended tips include:

• Rest your eye by avoiding screens, reading, sports, etc.
• Apply cool compresses to ease swelling and irritation.
• Do not rub or touch eyes to avoid aggravating injury.
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers as needed per instructions.
• Wear sunglasses outside to protect light-sensitive eyes.

Additionally, be sure to schedule an ophthalmologist visit if vision worsens or hemorrhaging expands instead of resolving.

How Long Do Burst Blood Vessels in Eyes Take to Heal?

In otherwise healthy people, even extensive subconjunctival bleeding often starts fading within 1-2 weeks and fully resolves within a month. But many smaller hemorrhages heal completely in just 5-7 days.

In the normal healing process:

• Bleeding fully stops within 24 hours as clots form.
• After 2-5 days, blood begins breaking down and eye whites regain natural color.
• Within 1-4 weeks, absorbed blood fades until conjunctiva returns to normal appearance.

Can Burst Eye Blood Vessels Cause Permanent Damage?

For young healthy individuals, blood vessels bursting due to temporary straining rarely causes lasting eye damage or impaired vision. The conjunctiva and sclera are durable and resilient to small leaks.

However, recurrent hemorrhages in the same eye could signal an underlying disorder needing treatment. See an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you regularly experience subconjunctival bleeding.

High-Risk Groups Prone to Ruptured Ocular Vessels

While most hemorrhages in the eye are harmless short-term incidents, some groups prove especially vulnerable to this rupturing of delicate blood vessels.

Those facing higher risk factors include:

• Contact sports athletes - Repeated blunt eye trauma bursts vessels.
• Weightlifters - Straining from heavy lifts can cause ocular bleeding.
• Vomiters - Frequent forceful vomiting frequently tears eye blood vessels.
• Coughers - Chronic uncontrolled cough episodes spike intraocular pressure.
• Diabetics - Vascular fragility from blood sugar fluctuations underlies hemorrhages.
• Elderly - Age-related circulatory weakness makes vessels prone to rupturing.

Preventing Recurrent Blood Vessel Bursts in Eyes

Those vulnerable to repeat episodes of ruptured ocular blood vessels should take preventive measures, including:

• Getting underlying conditions like diabetes under control
• Avoiding aggravating behaviors like aggressive eye rubbing
• Wearing protective eyewear during sports or risky vocations
• Trying over-the-counter vasoconstrictive eye drops
• Increasing nutrient support for vascular health

While seldom dangerous themselves, frequent hemorrhages could indicate declining circulatory system health needing medical intervention.

When to Worry About Blood Pooling in Eyes

In most people, finding a blood red sclera after bursting tiny ocular capillaries proves harmless, if visually shocking. But recurrence, vision changes, or co-occurring severe eye pain should prompt seeing an eye doctor to evaluate for underlying susceptibility factors. Catching and addressing these can help prevent further vessel rupturing episodes.

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.