Eye conditions
Subconjunctival haemorrhage: UK guide to the red patch on your eye
A subconjunctival haemorrhage is a bright red patch on the white of the eye caused by a tiny blood vessel bursting under the conjunctiva. It looks alarming but is almost always painless and self-limiting. In UK adults over 60 it is common enough to see several times a year in general practice.
What causes it
- **Straining** — coughing, sneezing, vomiting, heavy lifting, childbirth
- **Minor trauma** — rubbing the eye, a finger poke, a foreign body
- **Contact lens misuse**
- **Anticoagulants** — warfarin, DOACs, aspirin, clopidogrel
- **Uncontrolled hypertension** — a common association, especially with recurrent episodes
- **Bleeding disorders** — rarely, in patients on chemotherapy or with liver disease
- **Spontaneous** — often no cause is found
What it looks like
A bright, uniform red patch on the white of the eye with a clearly demarcated edge. Unlike conjunctivitis, there is no discharge, no itchiness and vision is not affected. The patch may spread over 24 hours before slowly fading — typically red → orange → yellow → clear over 10–14 days.
When it is not just a subconjunctival haemorrhage
See an eye specialist urgently if:
- The eye is painful, or vision is blurred
- The pupil looks abnormal or the iris looks distorted
- There was significant trauma — a punched or struck eye can hide serious injury
- Blood is inside the eye rather than under the conjunctiva (a **hyphaema**, sitting in the front chamber)
- The haemorrhage does not clear within three weeks
- You get recurrent episodes — this warrants a blood pressure check and clotting review
Treatment
None is needed. Do not use antibiotic drops — this is a bleed, not an infection. Cool compresses can be soothing in the first 24 hours. Lubricating drops help if the eye feels gritty.
Preventing recurrence
- Have your blood pressure checked
- Review anticoagulation dose with your GP if bleeds are frequent
- Avoid rubbing the eyes
- Manage cough or constipation properly to reduce straining
Book a consultant-led eye assessment
For recurrent haemorrhages, associated pain, or any concern about vision, book a consultation with my private practice or call **020 3137 3237**.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a subconjunctival haemorrhage serious?
- In isolation, no. It is one of the most benign-looking dramatic signs in medicine. What matters is whether there is pain, vision loss, or trauma.
- How long does it take to clear?
- Typically 10–14 days, fading through red, orange and yellow as the blood is reabsorbed.
- Can I fly with a subconjunctival haemorrhage?
- Yes — it does not affect the eye's function.
- Why do I keep getting them?
- Check blood pressure, review any blood-thinning medication, and avoid vigorous eye-rubbing. Persistent episodes warrant a formal review.
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