A bloody eye can occur after performing cardiovascular exercise, but the exercise itself is not the direct cause; it can, however, exacerbate an underlying condition. High blood pressure and certain medications, particularly blood thinners, are common underlying problems that can lead to a bloody eye. In some cases, it may be an isolated incident caused by sudden, intense pressure on the eye, such as when sneezing or coughing.
Features
A bloody eye is caused by a broken blood vessel in the eye -- a condition known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage. A subconjunctival hemorrhage, or red eye, is characterized by a bright red patch on the white of the eye. Your vision most likely will not be affected, and you should have no discharge coming from the eye. A subconjunctival hemorrhage should be painless, but you might have a scratchy feeling around the affected area.
Causes
Sudden pressure on the eye can cause a subconjunctival hemorrhage, but in many cases the specific cause is unknown. The bursting of the blood vessel may have occurred if you sneezed, coughed or rubbed your eye while exercising. Cardiovascular exercise temporarily increases the amount of pressure on the blood vessels. If your blood vessels are weak or damaged -- particularly the delicate vessels in the eye -- the increased pressure may cause a vessel to rupture or tear. The underlying weakness could be due to medication you are taking, such as blood thinners, or high blood pressure.
Treatment
No treatment is necessary for a bloody eye unless you have other symptoms such as pain or problems with your vision. Over-the-counter eyedrops can soothe any feeling of scratchiness or dryness. Use eyedrops advertised as artificial tears. Certain other eyedrops containing a decongestant can cause a rebound effect -- the redness returns -- if you use them frequently or for longer than a few days. A bloody eye caused by a subconjunctival hemorrhage should heal completely within 10 to 14 days. Consult a doctor if you have pain, the eye worsens or does not heal within two weeks.
Considerations
If you are taking any kind of prescription medications that thin the blood, such as warfarin or Coumadin, consult your doctor for advice. He may be able to lower the dosage or switch you to another medication. If you start to experience a bloody eye consistently while performing cardio exercises and you are not taking any medication, consult a doctor for a diagnosis. He can check your blood pressure and test for other possible causes, such as diabetes.
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