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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a broken tiny blood vessel under the clear membrane of your eye — looks alarming, almost never serious, and resolves on its own in 1 to 2 weeks.
What helps
Mostly reassurance — and time.
Main
No treatment needed
The blood absorbs on its own over 1-2 weeks. No drops or medications speed it up meaningfully.
Comfort
Artificial tears
If the eye feels a little irritated or dry from the surface bulge, lubricating drops help. Otherwise nothing's needed.
Recurrent
Workup for underlying cause
One subconjunctival hemorrhage is almost always nothing. Two or more — especially without obvious trigger — warrants checking blood pressure, blood clotting (especially if on anticoagulants), and rarely other systemic conditions.
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What doesn't help
Ice, hot compresses, eye drops marketed for redness — none speed resolution. The body simply needs time to reabsorb the blood.
Come in if
The hemorrhage was caused by trauma (a hit to the face or eye), vision is affected, there's pain, or it keeps happening every few weeks. Recurrent hemorrhages, especially in anticoagulated patients, deserve evaluation.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
How did this happen?+
Often something benign you didn't notice — a sneeze, a cough, a moment of straining. Sometimes nothing identifiable. The tiny conjunctival vessels are fragile; they can break with very mild pressure.
Will it happen again?+
Often no, especially if you can identify the trigger (forceful sneezing, heavy lifting). About 10% of cases recur. If you're on aspirin or other blood thinners, your blood pressure isn't well-controlled, or you have repeated hemorrhages, it's worth a checkup.
Is it contagious?+
No — it's not an infection. It's a broken blood vessel, like a bruise.
How long until it goes away?+
Most absorb within 7-14 days. Large hemorrhages can take 2-3 weeks. The blood will change color — red → orange → yellow → green → gone — as it breaks down, similar to a skin bruise.
Should I check my blood pressure?+
Reasonable to check if it's recurrent, you're middle-aged or older, or you don't already monitor. A single episode in someone with controlled blood pressure rarely needs investigation.