What is subconjunctival hemorrhage?

4 May 2021

It is bleeding due to a rupture of small blood vessels in the ocular conjunctiva, which causes blood to accumulate in the space located between the conjunctiva and the sclera, causing a reddish spot in the white area of the eye.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage, also known as bloodshot eyes, is usually not serious or complicated, it disappears without treatment in a couple of weeks or longer, unless it is due to an underlying disease that causes recurrent bleeding. In the latter case, it will be necessary to treat the condition that caused it.

There are several causes for a subconjunctival hemorrhage to occur, the most frequent being:

Diabetes.
Anticoagulant intake.
Intense coughing fits.
Viral infections.
Eye surgical procedures.
Conditions that affect blood coagulation.
Constipation.
Make great physical efforts.
Sneezing too hard.
High blood pressure.
Intense vomiting.
Scratching or rubbing the eye very forcefully.
Hits.

To prevent subconjunctival hemorrhage it is recommended:

Check your blood pressure regularly to prevent it from rising.
Avoid rubbing your eyes very vigorously.
If you practice sports or activities with a risk of receiving any trauma, use protective glasses.

Signs and symptoms Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Eye redness.
Bright red spot in the white part of the eye.
Irritation.
Light discomfort.

The chances of complications are slim unless it is a severe trauma that could have caused considerable damage to the eye.

Diagnosis and treatment Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Once the ophthalmologist analyzes your symptoms and medical history, they will perform a thorough eye exam and a test to measure your blood pressure.

If they suspect that there is an underlying disease that could be the cause of the subconjunctival hemorrhage, they will request a series of tests that will help them rule out possible conditions and confirm the diagnosis.

The treatment to be followed will depend on the origin of the bleeding, but regularly, if there is no additional pathology, it will exclusively be the application of eye drops or artificial tears to moisten the eye.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Internal Medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

aao.org
topdoctors.es
cun.es
medlineplus.gov
mayoclinic.org
msdmanuals.com
medigraphic.com
Quesada RMA, Montero CLB. Diagnóstico y manejo del síndrome de ojo rojo. Rev Med Cos Cen. 2009;66(588):235-240.
Barrera GBR, Torres AA, Somoza MJÁ, et al. Caracterización de los pacientes con traumatismo ocular en el área de salud ‘Julián Grimau’. MediSan. 2012;16(12):1831-1837.
García FL, Rodríguez RBN, Chiang RC, et al. Rotura ocular posterior traumática. Rev Cub Oftal. 2016;29(3):581-588.
Troyo BP. La hemorragia subconjuntival como predictor de hipertensión arterial sistémica reactiva. Med Sur. 2003;10(4):157-159.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is subconjunctival hemorrhage?

Signs and symptoms Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Diagnosis and treatment Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Related centers and departments Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Subconjunctival hemorrhage