Why Is My Eye Bleeding?

Everyone has had a bruise on their skin at some point in life. But did you know that bruises can happen on the eye as well? Bruises are simply caused by bleeding of blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin. The skin isn't transparent and so it obscures the color of the blood. The eye, however, doesn't have that same luxury.

The white part of the eye is actually made up of different layers. The actual white part is called the sclera and forms the structure of the eyeball. On top of that layer is a pretty transparent and thin layer called the conjunctiva. (Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, involves inflammation to that transparent layer, the conjunctiva). Underneath the conjunctiva are blood vessels. And similar to blood vessels anywhere else in the body, these blood vessels can break and bleed. However when this happens it becomes super obvious! A large red spot occurs on the white of the eye! This is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

Fortunately, subconjunctival hemorrhages are harmless. They just don't look all that pretty. Gradually over the course of 2-3 weeks, the blood breaks down and resorbs into the body until it looks like nothing ever happened!

There can be a few distinct causes of subconjunctival hemorrhages. Blood-thinners can increase the risk of bleeding. Sneezing, coughing or straining can cause a blood vessel to break. And occasionally, surgery on the eye or trauma to the eye also can cause some of those vessels to bleed.

If this happens to you, there isn't really much to do. If the eye feels a bit scratchy than taking artificial tears can help. Otherwise in this case, time is the best medicine!

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