Subconjunctival Hemorrhage, also known as a burst blood vessels in the eye (SCH), can cause a blood patch to appear at the white of the eye. It is usually harmless and will go away by itself.
Doctors do not always know the cause of a ruptured blood vessel. However, it may be due to using contact lens, an eye injury, intense exercises, or straining. A medication or medical condition can increase the risk of SCH.
This article discusses the causes and treatment of burst blood vessel in the eye. This article also discusses when to seek medical attention.
What is SCH ?
The medical term SCH refers to when a blood vessel bursts in the eye, allowing some blood to spill onto the sclera or white part of the eyes.
Sclera contains many tiny blood vessels which can easily break and bleed. The conjunctiva is a thin layer of transparent tissue that covers the eyes. Blood pools when a blood vessels breaks. It is trapped but visible under the conjunctiva.
Is this serious?
A blood vessel that has burst in the eye usually isn’t harmful. The mark will usually disappear on its own over time as the blood disperses.
It is normal for the eye to be red, but it should fade in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
SCH is sometimes a sign that there’s a underlying problem. It is more likely to be the case if bleeding occurs frequently or is persistent.
Symptoms and causes of a ruptured blood vessel in the eyes.
A red spot appears on the white part of the eye. This is the main symptom of SCH.
The patch will initially be a bright red, with clear borders. It may then fade and become less distinct. As the haemoglobin breaks down, it can cause an eye to appear bruised or yellow.
SCH usually does not cause pain and doesn’t affect vision. However, it can give you a swollen, scratchy sensation. SCH usually only affects whites of eyes and not the iris, or pupils.
Causes for a ruptured blood vessel in the eyes.
The doctors categorize the causes of SCH into two categories: traumatic and spontaneous.
Traumatic
The word “traumatic” is used in this context to describe a physical injury or trauma that causes a blood vessel to rupture. Some common examples include foreign objects in the eye, or rubbing the eyes too hard.
Contact lenses are another common cause. Contact lenses are becoming more popular and the incidence of traumatic SCH is also increasing.
It can happen by accident while applying or removing a lens, or because of issues with the actual lens such as surface deposits and defects.
This can also lead to SCH if people continue to use their disposable lenses longer than recommended by the manufacturer. The materials used in the lenses begin to wear away at the edges with time. This causes rougher edges.
People who wear contacts can also develop eye disorders which disrupt the tear flow, causing irritation and dryness. These include:
- Conjunctivochalasis is the excess of conjunctival tissues on the eye.
- Pinguecula is a benign growth of the conjunctiva
- The corneal cells can die and cause pain or light-sensitivity.
Refractive surgery and cataract can increase the risk of SCH. Research shows that around 1 to 2%TrustedSource of babies born vaginally may develop SCH.
Contributing factors can be conditions that cause eye rubbing. These include dry eyes syndrome; allergies and eye blepharitis. These conditions can lead to eye discomfort, and subsequently eye rubbing. This can occur involuntarily or while sleeping and cause blood vessels burst.
Spontaneous
In almost half of cases (Trusted Source), doctors have not been able to identify the cause of SCH. These cases are called spontaneous because they happen without apparent cause. This is also known as “idiopathic.”
A blood vessel can burst in the eye if blood pressure increases suddenly. It can happen when someone vomits or coughs.
A burst blood vessels in the eye can be caused by certain health conditions. High blood pressure or hypertension can also cause this, even if the person is taking medicine to control their condition. The risk can be increased by other vascular conditions, including diabetes or hyperlipidemia.
Other conditions associated with SCH include:
- Enterovirus 70
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- hemochromatosis
- Kaposi sarcoma
- dermatologic vasculature disease includes pyogenic Granuloma and Telangiectasias.
Some medications such as nonsteroidal analgesics, warfarin, or Heparin may also increase the likelihood of blood vessel rupture.
According to the research above, spontaneous SCH recurrence rates are around 10% among people without identifiable risk factors.
Treatment
SCH is usually not treated. Ice packs can be used to relieve discomfort if it’s causing pain. You can also try artificial tear for dryness.
If someone experiences a blood vessel rupture in the eye often, it may be a sign of an underlying problem that requires treatment. The doctor’s treatment plan will be determined by the diagnosis of the underlying cause.
A specialist consultation may be required by individuals who have suffered SCH as a result of traumatic head injury.
How much time will it take for the pain to disappear?
After SCH, your body will naturally absorb the blood from the eye in 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the amount of hemorrhage.
It may take up to 3 weeks for the anticoagulation medication to work.
When should you seek help.
The majority of SCH cases will resolve themselves and are not a sign that a serious illness is present.
If the condition occurs after a head injury or facial trauma, it is important to seek medical care. Doctors can check for signs of concussion and damage to the eye.
A person should contact a health professional if they experience any other symptoms in addition to the ruptured blood vessel. Some symptoms to be concerned about include:
- Pain
- increasing swelling
- vision loss
- Unexplained bleeding and bruises in other parts of the human body
If SCH occurs frequently and a person’s blood-pressure hasn’t been checked in a while by a physician, the individual should ask a medical professional to check it.
Summary
A burst blood vessels in the eye is referred to by doctors as SCH. This is a benign condition that usually resolves on its own. The only sign is usually a small patch of blood under the conjunctiva (the transparent lining around the eye).
SCH is often a condition that has no known cause. It can be caused by trauma or spontaneously. Contact lens wear is one of the causes.
A burst blood vessels in the eye may not be serious, but it could indicate a health problem that needs to be evaluated by a physician.
When a person experiences recurring SCH or if the condition doesn’t resolve, or if they experience any other symptoms, it is important to seek medical care.