Eye Site – Your Trusted Local Optometrist Serving Katy and Memorial

At Eye Site, we are proud to be your choice optometrist in the greater Katy and Memorial areas. Whether it's time for your annual eye exam or you’re interested in eye disease treatment, our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help.

Treatment for Burst or Broken Blood Vessels

A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when a very small blood vessel bursts underneath the clear surface of the eye. Because the eye cannot absorb the blood quickly enough, the blood becomes trapped. Often, patients do not even realize the blood vessel is broken until they look in the mirror and notice that the white area of the eye has turned bright red.

Typically, a broken blood vessel will occur without any obvious harm to the eye. In fact, something as normal as a strong cough or sneeze can result in a broken blood vessel in the eye. Most of the time this common issue doesn’t need to be treated but the symptoms can be worrisome if you’ve never experienced a broken blood vessel before. In most cases, this harmless eye condition will disappear within 2 weeks or so.

Common Symptoms of Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

For most patients, the most obvious sign that they have a subconjunctival hemorrhage is a bright red patch on the white area of the eye. Even though it can look quite bad, the broken blood vessel should not cause any pain, changes in your vision or discharge from the eye. However, some patients may experience an uncomfortable scratchy feeling on the surface of the eye.

Common Causes

Sometimes the cause of a broken blood vessel is unknown. However, the following actions may result in a burst blood vessel in the eye:

• Vomiting
• Powerful Sneezing
• Straining
• Violent Coughing
• Roughly Rubbing the Eye
• Trauma (i.e., a foreign object entering the eye)

Common Risk Factors

Some people may be more susceptible than others to recurring broken blood vessels. Risk factors for broken blood vessels include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Blood-clotting disorders
• The use of certain blood-thinning medications

How Can I Prevent Broken Blood Vessels?

Always remember that if you need to rub your eyes, rub them gently. Additionally, if the bleeding in your eye can be easily linked to the use of blood-thinning medication or a bleeding disorder, ask your doctor about possible steps to reduce the risk of additional complications.

Contact Us Today

If you have recurrent issues with broken blood vessels or another bleeding, talk to our optometrist as soon as possible. Call (281) 644-2010 in Katy and (713) 984-9144 in Memorial or visit us online today to schedule an initial consultation.