Busted blood vessels in the eye typically cause an area of bright red to appear on the white of the eye, a condition called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. In most cases, a person will not require medical attention, and the redness should gradually decrease. However, people should know the causes for broken blood vessels, particularly if subconjunctival hemorrhages occur frequently, in order to encourage discussing the condition with a doctor.
Sudden Pressure
Subconjunctival hemorrhages may result from a bought of coughing or sneezing, says MedlinePlus from the National Institutes of Health. The temporary pressure increases in these small blood vessels on the white of the eye during a cough or sneeze, and this pressure buildup may cause them to burst. It is impossible to prevent a subconjunctival hemorrhage from coughing or sneezing.
Disease
Some types of disease affect the blood vessels, including those in the eye. As a result, some people with conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes may have more frequent subconjunctival hemorrhages than people without these diseases, says MayoClinic.com. Though a person cannot prevent a hemorrhage, good blood pressure control as well as good control of blood glucose levels is important for patients with these conditions.
Medications
Medications, such as blood thinners, increase a person's risk for a subconjunctival hemorrhage, says MayoClinic.com. As a result, it is impossible to predict or prevent broken blood vessels in the eye. However, a person who experiences frequent hemorrhages should discuss the condition with her doctor to determine if she takes the proper dose of the medication. In addition, the broken blood vessels in a person on a blood thinner may bleed excessively. If a person notices bulging on the white of the eye, or if the bleeding seeps into the colored part of the eye, an eye care provider should be contacted immediately.
Trauma
Broken blood vessels may also result from eye trauma. This may include a small foreign body in the eye or an object hitting an eye. If vision changes or the feeling of a foreign body in the eye is present, sufferers should seek medical attention. In addition, minor trauma, such as hard rubbing of the eye, may also cause a subconjunctival hemorrhage, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
