Blood vessels nourish the inside and outer layer of the eye, and if these vessels break, bleeding will occur. Some bleeding may have symptoms, whether a noticeable appearance or changes in vision. Since some types of bleeding in the eye result in vision changes, people should know some of the causes for bleeding in the eye in order to determine if they have a risk for certain conditions.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
The white, visible part of the eye, called the conjunctiva, has many blood vessels just under its surface. If one of these blood vessels bursts, a bright red area of bleeding, called a subconjunctival hemorrhage, may occur. The bleed happens under the conjunctiva and does not usually cause pain or discomfort, says MayoClinic.com. A subconjunctival hemorrhage acts like a bruise, and will gradually disappear over time. Bleeding typically results from pressure build-up in the vessels, such as from a sneeze or a bought of coughing. Some people, however, have a bleed without a known cause. Subconjunctival hemorrhages do not require medical treatment unless the white of the eye appears to bulge, or if the bleed fills the front chamber of the eye. If vision changes or significant pain occurs, a person should contact an eye doctor.
Diabetic Retinopathy
The retina makes up the light-sensitive lining of the back of the eye. The retina responds to the light entering the eye and transports the information to the optic nerve, which then sends the information for visual images to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy, a condition that causes the retina to grow additional blood vessels, affects many diabetics. These abnormal vessels often swell and then burst, resulting in bleeding in the retina, says the American Optometric Association. Since the retina plays an important role in vision, this swelling will affect vision. If an eye doctor detects new blood vessel growth, he may recommend a laser treatment to destroy the vessels. In the advanced stages of retinopathy, when vessels begin to bleed, the doctor may need to perform more extensive laser treatment to reduce swelling and bleeding.
Macular Degeneration
One small area on the retina, called the macula, has the responsibility of providing good, clear central vision, the vision used for reading and face recognition. Macular degeneration may occur with age, leading to damage of the important central vision. If abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula, the vessels may bleed and lift the macula, resulting in vision changes, says the National Eye Institute. For example, the bleed may cause straight lines to appear bent at odd angles. Prompt treatment of the bleed may offer some improvement to vision. Treatment may include laser treatment or therapy that involves injecting a medication in the blood stream and administering special light therapy to destroy the bleeding vessels.
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