SUBCONJUNCTIVAL HAEMORRHAGE
Subconjunctival haemorrhage is a very common presentation. The patient often presents because others have noticed a patch or area of bright blood on the white of the eye.
Watch Video of subconjunctival haemorrhage
Subconjunctival haemorrhage can be related to clotting disorders and patients taking aspirin, warfarin or other anti-clotting agents are often prone to haemorrhages of varying severity.
It is always worth checking the blood pressure of patients presenting with this condition. found a significant level of undiagnosed hypertension in patients presenting with subconjunctival haemorrhage.
The condition is also associated with Valsalva’s manoeuvre – coughing, sneezing or vomiting,
Some patients experience repeated episodes, perhaps because of a particularly fragile conjunctival blood vessel.
Subconjunctival haemorrhages resolve spontaneously, over variable periods of time that may be protracted if the haemorrhage is severe (perhaps 2 or 3 weeks).
Unless a specific linked factor such as hypertension is discovered, which obviously needs referral to the appropriate physician, treatment consists mainly of education about the cause of the haemorrhage, the possibility of repeat episodes and the nature of self-treatment if it does recur.
The patients should also be warned that, because of the potential space underneath the conjunctiva, the blood may spread and the haemorrhage may look worse before it begins to resolve.
The uneven conjunctiva, caused by the bleeding under it, may cause irritation and artificial tears may be helpful.
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