A broken blood vessel in the eye, also known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage, may suddenly appear on the white of the eye with no known cause. Many people have broken blood vessels after a strong bought of coughing, sneezing or an eye injury. Though the hemorrhage may occur for a number of reasons, the symptoms remain the same. Knowing these symptoms may help a person with a broken blood vessel determine when to seek medical attention.
Redness
A bright red area is the most common symptom of a broken blood vessel in the eye. A broken blood vessel will bleed just under the thin, transparent layer called the conjunctiva, covering the white of the eye, trapping the blood, says Columbia University Medical Center. Even a small amount of blood may cause a significant red spot on the eye. Doctors do not have any way to treat a subconjunctival hemorrhage, but, in most cases, the redness will gradually disappear in a few days or weeks, a healing process similar to a bruise on the skin.
Irritation
The broken blood vessel may cause the surface of the eye to feel scratchy, explains MayoClinic.com. Artificial tears, an over-the-counter lubricating drop, may help ease this discomfort. A subconjunctival hemorrhage, however, should not cause significant pain.
Complications
If a subconjunctival hemorrhage appears to bulge out as if swollen, the person should seek immediate attention as this may indicate a rupture of the conjunctiva. As well, if the entire white of the eye turns red, called a bullous subconjunctival hemorrhage, this may indicate a full rupture of the eye itself, says the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa. A globe rupture often results from a serious injury to the eye.
