Noticed a startling bright-red patch on the white of your eye? It’s most likely a subconjunctival haemorrhage – a tiny burst capillary that leaks a thin film of blood under the clear surface (the conjunctiva). It often follows a cough, sneeze, strain, or a good rub of the eye. Despite the dramatic look, it’s usually painless, doesn’t affect vision, and doesn’t spread. Most clear without treatment within 1–2 weeks (sometimes up to 3), much like a fading bruise.
This guide explains what it looks like and typical symptoms, how long it takes to heal, simple home care to feel more comfortable, and what to avoid while it settles. You’ll also find clear warning signs for when to seek urgent care, common triggers and risk factors (including contact lenses and blood thinners), advice for children and after eye surgery, prevention tips, how an eye doctor assesses recurrent cases, and how this differs from other causes of a red eye. Let’s get you confident about next steps.
What it looks like and typical symptoms
A subconjunctival haemorrhage shows as a bright red or maroon patch on the white of the eye. It’s flat, not raised, and often discovered by surprise in the mirror or by someone else. Most people feel completely normal, though a mild scratchy or itchy sensation is common. It doesn’t move when you blink and won’t wipe away, because the blood sits under the clear surface layer.
- Painless, with normal vision: No blur, no sensitivity to light, and no discharge.
- No swelling: The eye may look dramatic but isn’t puffy or tender.
- Colour changes as it heals: The red area can spread slightly at first, then fade through orange/yellow like a bruise.
- Often no clear trigger: Sometimes follows a cough, sneeze, strain or eye rub, but can arise without an obvious cause.
How long it takes to heal
Most subconjunctival haemorrhages settle without treatment in about 1–2 weeks. Small patches can fade in a few days; bigger areas may take closer to 2–3 weeks as the blood is slowly reabsorbed, changing from red to orange/yellow before clearing. They don’t usually leave any mark or affect vision. If the red patch isn’t improving after two weeks, hasn’t cleared by three, keeps coming back, or you notice unexplained bruising elsewhere, arrange a check-up — your doctor may check your blood pressure and consider tests for bleeding issues.
Home care you can do right away
Treating a broken blood vessel in the eye is mostly about comfort while nature does the healing. Most subconjunctival haemorrhages don’t need medical treatment, and simple steps at home can ease any scratchy, irritated feeling as the patch fades over 1–2 weeks. Think gentle care, lubrication, and reducing the urge to rub.
- Soothe with lubricating drops: Use preservative‑free artificial tears as needed through the day to ease dryness or itch.
- Cool compress for comfort: Apply a clean, cool cloth over closed lids for a few minutes at a time; it won’t speed healing but can make the eye feel better.
- Switch to glasses if needed: If contact lenses feel dry or irritating, pause wear until the redness improves.
- Take screen breaks: Follow regular blink and rest breaks to reduce eye strain and the temptation to rub.
- If you need pain relief (for something else): Prefer paracetamol; avoid aspirin‑containing products as they can increase bleeding.
The “don’ts” are just as important while it settles — we’ll cover those next.
What not to do while it heals
When treating a broken blood vessel in the eye, a few simple “don’ts” will spare you discomfort and reduce the chance of a fresh bleed. The blood sits under the clear surface, so you can’t wipe it away. Keep your approach gentle and hands‑off while time does the healing.
- Don’t rub or press the eye: This can re‑bleed and prolong irritation.
- Don’t wear contact lenses if they irritate: Switch to glasses until it settles.
- Don’t take aspirin: Prefer paracetamol for pain relief if you need it.
- Don’t combine pain medicines unless your doctor has advised it.
- Don’t strain (heavy lifting, forceful cough/sneeze, constipation) if you can avoid it.
- Don’t stop prescribed blood thinners without medical advice.
When to seek medical care urgently
Treating a broken blood vessel in the eye is usually a watch‑and‑wait situation, but a few red flags mean you should be seen the same day to rule out more serious conditions (for example, a hyphema). If any of the following apply, arrange urgent care or go to an emergency department.
- Eye pain or pressure: Subconjunctival haemorrhage is typically painless; pain needs assessment.
- Any vision change: New blur, a shadow, or loss of vision.
- Recent injury: The red patch follows a blow to the eye or head, or there are other facial injuries.
- Frequent episodes plus other bleeding/bruising: Especially if you’re on blood thinners.
If it isn’t improving after two weeks, hasn’t cleared by three, or keeps recurring, book a routine review; your doctor may check blood pressure and consider tests for bleeding disorders.
Common causes and everyday triggers
Most subconjunctival haemorrhages happen after small pressure spikes or simple friction that make tiny surface capillaries pop. Everyday life is full of these moments, which is why treating a broken blood vessel in the eye is usually about time and comfort rather than intervention. Knowing the common triggers can help you avoid a repeat while it heals.
- Straining (cough, sneeze, vomit, constipation): quick pressure spike.
- Eye rubbing/pressing: common after itch or on waking.
- Contact lenses: dirty lenses or fast removal.
- Lifting, pushing, bending forward: raises eye venous pressure.
- Minor eye knocks: a fingernail, make‑up wand, sports.
- Long screen stints: dryness → more rubbing.
- No obvious trigger: sometimes happens spontaneously.
Who is more at risk (medicines and medical conditions)
Some people are more prone to a subconjunctival haemorrhage because their blood vessels are fragile, their blood is thinner, or pressure spikes are more likely. Knowing your risk helps you manage expectations when treating a broken blood vessel in the eye and decide when to get checked.
- Older age (65+): Tiny surface vessels become more delicate with age.
- High blood pressure: Especially if undiagnosed or not well controlled.
- Diabetes: Can affect small blood vessels and healing.
- Blood thinners and anti‑platelets: Such as warfarin, DOACs and aspirin; never stop prescribed medicines without medical advice.
- Bleeding or clotting disorders: For example haemophilia or von Willebrand disease.
- Recent eye surgery: Temporary surface bleeding is more likely while tissues heal.
- Contact lens wearers: Dryness and friction increase risk; more on this next.
If haemorrhages keep recurring, your doctor may check your blood pressure and arrange blood tests to rule out bleeding problems.
If you wear contact lenses
Contact lens wearers are more prone to a subconjunctival haemorrhage because dryness, friction and quick lens removal can make tiny surface vessels pop. When treating a broken blood vessel in the eye, let the surface settle and avoid extra irritation so it can reabsorb naturally.
- Switch to glasses: Pause contacts until the eye feels normal and the white is clearing.
- Lubricate generously: Use preservative‑free artificial tears; re‑wet before removing lenses next time to reduce friction.
- Keep lenses scrupulously clean: Clean and store correctly; don’t use dirty or damaged lenses.
- See someone if symptoms escalate: Pain, light sensitivity, discharge or vision changes need urgent assessment.
- Recurrent episodes? Ask your optometrist to review lens fit and dryness management.
If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
If you’re on blood thinners (like warfarin, DOACs or aspirin) or have a known bleeding disorder, small subconjunctival haemorrhages are more likely — but treating a broken blood vessel in the eye is still mostly time and comfort care. Do not stop any prescribed blood thinner without medical advice. See your doctor if bleeds are large, frequent, or you notice nosebleeds, gum bleeding or easy bruising; they may check blood pressure and consider blood tests.
- Choose paracetamol for pain: Avoid aspirin‑containing products unless they’re prescribed for you.
- Seek urgent care for pain, vision changes, or after an eye/head injury.
- Keep a simple log: Note when it started, possible triggers and your medicines to help your clinician review patterns.
- Bleeding disorders: Follow your haematology plan and arrange review if episodes recur.
For children and teens
In children and teens, a subconjunctival haemorrhage is usually harmless and clears on its own in 1–2 weeks. It most often follows minor trauma (a finger or ball to the eye), vigorous rubbing, a cough/sneeze, or contact lens friction. Treating a broken blood vessel in the eye at home is about comfort: preservative‑free artificial tears, no rubbing, and pausing contact lenses until the eye feels normal. Caregivers should also look for any signs of injury around the eye.
- Seek urgent care if there’s pain, light sensitivity, vision change or discharge.
- After a blow to the eye/head: get assessed the same day.
- Recurrent episodes or easy bruising/bleeding: arrange a medical review.
- If the cause is unclear in younger children, or there are safeguarding concerns, get medical advice promptly.
After eye surgery: what’s normal and what’s not
After eye surgery (for example cataract), tiny surface vessels can bruise or bleed, so a bright‑red patch on the white is common and usually harmless. Treating a broken blood vessel in the eye post‑op is still comfort care: preservative‑free artificial tears, no rubbing, and keep using your prescribed drops. It typically fades over 1–3 weeks.
- Normal: A painless red patch; vision as expected for your recovery; colour fading over time.
- Not normal: Increasing pain/pressure, new or worsening blur, marked light sensitivity, discharge or swelling.
- Not normal: Visible blood pooling in front of the iris, a recent knock to the eye, or no improvement after two weeks — contact your surgeon urgently.
How to prevent future episodes
Most subconjunctival haemorrhages are harmless but they can recur — around 10% of people without clear risk factors have another episode, with higher rates in those on blood thinners. Prevention is about minimising friction and sudden pressure spikes, and keeping general health well controlled.
- Keep contacts clean and well‑fitted: Replace on schedule; pause wear if eyes feel dry.
- Lubricate routinely: Preservative‑free artificial tears reduce dryness and the urge to rub.
- Hands off: Avoid rubbing or pressing on your eyes.
- Rest your eyes: Take regular screen breaks to encourage blinking.
- Reduce straining: Manage coughs and constipation; seek GP advice if persistent.
- Protect your eyes: Use appropriate eyewear for sport, DIY and workplace hazards.
- Manage health and medicines: Check blood pressure, control diabetes, prefer paracetamol over aspirin, and never change blood thinners without medical advice.
How an eye doctor diagnoses it (and tests if it keeps happening)
For most people, a subconjunctival haemorrhage is diagnosed just by looking at the eye; no tests are usually needed. If it keeps recurring, or there’s pain, trauma or unexplained bruising, your clinician will look for an underlying cause so treating a broken blood vessel in the eye stays straightforward. This is usually a quick in‑clinic assessment.
- Focused history: onset, cough/sneeze/strain, rubbing or injury, and medicines (especially blood thinners).
- Eye exam: to confirm a surface bleed and exclude other red‑eye causes.
- Blood pressure check: hypertension can contribute to recurrences.
- Blood tests: for bleeding/clotting disorders if episodes are frequent, large or unexplained.
How it differs from other causes of a red eye
A subconjunctival haemorrhage has a distinctive “look”: a sharply defined, bright‑red patch on the white of the eye, with no pain, no discharge and no change in vision. It doesn’t move with blinking and drops won’t wash it away because the blood sits under the surface. Recognising this pattern helps you focus on simple comfort while treating a broken blood vessel in the eye, and avoid worry about other red‑eye conditions.
- Subconjunctival haemorrhage: Painless, vision normal, no discharge; fades like a bruise over 1–2 weeks.
- After an injury: Red eye with pain or blur can indicate a more serious issue (for example, a hyphema) — same‑day care is sensible.
- Sore, sticky or contact lens–related pain: May suggest infection or a corneal problem — arrange prompt assessment.
Everyday life: work, driving, makeup, swimming and sport
If your vision is normal and the eye is painless, you can usually carry on with ordinary activities — the redness is cosmetic. While treating a broken blood vessel in the eye, a few small tweaks help reduce irritation and the chance of a fresh bleed.
- Work and screens: Fine to continue; take regular breaks, lubricate, and avoid rubbing.
- Driving: Safe if vision is normal; if you notice blur, glare or pain, don’t drive and seek care.
- Makeup and grooming: Okay to use; keep tools clean, avoid tight waterline lining, remove gently without rubbing.
- Swimming: Chlorine/salt can sting; wear goggles, don’t wear contacts in water, and pause if it irritates.
- Sport and exercise: Light activity is fine; avoid heavy lifting and contact sports for now, and use protective eyewear.
Frequently asked questions
Here are quick answers to the questions patients ask most when treating a broken blood vessel in the eye at home. Use them as a guide while your subconjunctival haemorrhage fades.
- How long will it take to clear? Most settle in 1–2 weeks; larger patches can take up to 2–3, fading like a bruise.
- Do drops or compresses speed healing? No. Preservative‑free artificial tears soothe; cool compresses add comfort only.
- Is exercise OK? Light activity is fine; avoid heavy lifting or straining until it’s improving.
- What about pain relief and aspirin? Prefer paracetamol; avoid aspirin‑containing products. Don’t stop prescribed blood thinners without advice.
- Will it affect my vision? Vision should be normal; any blur, shadow or pain needs same‑day assessment.
- Why does it keep happening? Strain, rubbing, contacts, high blood pressure or blood thinners. Recurrent episodes warrant a blood pressure check and possible blood tests.
- Can I wear contacts or makeup? Pause contacts if there’s irritation; makeup is fine if applied and removed gently without rubbing.
Quick summary and next steps
A subconjunctival haemorrhage looks dramatic but is usually harmless, painless and doesn’t affect vision. It clears on its own in 1–2 weeks (sometimes up to 3). Home care is about comfort: preservative‑free artificial tears, a cool compress, regular screen breaks, and pausing contact lenses if they irritate. Avoid rubbing, heavy straining and aspirin‑containing products; don’t stop prescribed blood thinners without advice.
Seek same‑day care if there’s pain, any vision change, recent eye/head injury, discharge or swelling, or if episodes are frequent. Arrange a routine review if it hasn’t improved after two weeks, hasn’t cleared by three, or you have unexplained bruising; your clinician may check blood pressure and consider blood tests. For personalised advice or a timely assessment, contact Bright Sight Eye Specialists.