Blood Spot In The Eye: Common Causes And How To Prevent Recurrence

What would happen if you woke up one day, looked into the mirror and found a blood spot in your eye? It is likely to throw you off and cause some amount of panic, wouldn't it? While a visit to a doctor is the best way to tackle the problem, it is crucial to understand that you do not cause any further damage by rubbing your eyes. Understanding the causes may provide you with some relief, and that is exactly what the OnlyMyHealth team is here to do. We spoke to an expert to know all about the causes of blood spots in the eye and whether or not it is a cause for concern. Read on to know what she said.

Also Read: How To Identify Eye Twitching Linked To An Eye Stroke

Subconjunctival Haemorrhage: The Most Common Cause Of Blood Spots In The Eye

According to Dr Riddhi Arya, Vitreo-Retina Consultant, Sankara Eye Hospital, Varanasi, the most common reason for bright red spots on the eye is the subconjunctival haemorrhage, which occurs due to the burst of an extremely small blood vessel underneath the surface of a person’s eye.

"Rubbing the eye, a cough, a sneeze, or even straining can trigger this," says Dr Arya, adding that trauma and some health issues may occasionally be the cause as well. Interestingly, in rare cases, constipation is also the cause of haemorrhage.

According to StatPearls Publishing, there are two categories of subconjunctival haemorrhage: traumatic vs spontaneous. A traumatic subconjunctival haemorrhage results from direct injury to the eye, such as rubbing, eye surgery, or contact lens use, while a spontaneous (or non-traumatic) subconjunctival haemorrhage occurs without any obvious injury, often due to a Valsalva manoeuvre like coughing or vomiting, and is more commonly linked to underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or bleeding disorders.

Research suggests traumatic subconjunctival haemorrhage is more prevalent in young males, most likely related to performing heavy and aggressive work. On the other hand, the prevalence of non-traumatic or spontaneous subconjunctival haemorrhage is higher in women.

Can It Be High Blood Pressure Or Diabetes?

Dr Arya shares that both diabetes and high blood pressure can contribute to the damage of the delicate blood vessels in the eye. "In eyes, the vascular fragility in diabetics increases, and they become more vulnerable to bursting and leaking. When people have these conditions, timely eye checks become vital," she explains.

Symptoms other than blood in the eye include:

• Floaters, or small, dark spots in your field of vision 
• Blurred or distorted vision
• Vitreous haemorrhage is characterised by a significant amount of blood filling the vitreous, leading to vision blockage.

Should You Be Concerned By Blood In The Eye?

According to Dr Arya, in most cases, the small red dot in the eye does not pose any health risks; it is completely painless and does not interfere with one's health. She adds that the condition is likely to resolve on its own within 1-2 weeks.

However, more complex cases involve internal bleeding in the eye. “It can be accompanied with pain, changes in vision, or recurrence. Such cases require more complex care, as they could indicate a serious condition that is dangerous and needs urgent treatment,” she adds.

Also Read: 6 Warning Signs To Get Your Eyes Tested

How To Prevent Subconjunctival Haemorrhage In The Future

You can reduce the risk of subconjunctival haemorrhage by:

• Striving to have healthy blood sugar and blood pressure levels
• Striving to guard your eyes against damage
• Not engaging in strenuous eye activity

Dr Arya advised additional monitoring in the case of patients on anticoagulation (blood-thinning) therapy. Most importantly, regular eye examinations are key, which can detect early changes in vessels before they produce visible haemorrhage.