A burst blood vessel in the eye, known medically as a subconjunctival hemorrhage, almost always heals on its own without any treatment. The bright red patch on the white of your eye looks alarming, but it’s typically painless and resolves within two weeks. There’s no prescription, procedure, or special eye drop that speeds up the healing process.
Why Treatment Isn’t Usually Needed
The red spot you’re seeing is a small amount of blood trapped beneath the clear surface layer of your eye. Your body reabsorbs this blood gradually, the same way it would absorb a bruise on your skin. No medication can accelerate that process. As the American Academy of Ophthalmology puts it plainly: no drops will help, because time is the only real treatment.
The spot will change color as it heals, shifting from bright red to brown, then to yellow before disappearing completely. Most cases clear up within two weeks, though larger spots can take closer to three weeks.
Comfort Measures That Help
While the hemorrhage itself doesn’t hurt, some people notice a mild scratchy or irritated feeling on the surface of the eye. Over-the-counter artificial tears (lubricating eye drops) can soothe that irritation. Use them as needed throughout the day.
A few things to avoid while your eye heals:
- Redness-relief drops. Products like Visine or Clear Eyes work by constricting blood vessels to reduce general redness. They won’t do anything for a subconjunctival hemorrhage, and they can cause rebound redness with repeated use.
- Rubbing your eye. This can re-irritate the area or even trigger another burst vessel.
- Aspirin or blood thinners (if they aren’t medically necessary). These can make the hemorrhage larger or slow absorption. If you take a prescribed blood thinner, don’t stop it on your own, but mention the eye issue to your prescribing doctor.
What Caused It in the First Place
A tiny blood vessel on the surface of the eye can rupture from surprisingly minor physical strain. The most common triggers include coughing, sneezing, vomiting, straining (like heavy lifting or constipation), and rubbing or bumping the eye. Sometimes there’s no obvious cause at all.
Certain factors raise your risk of it happening. Blood-thinning medications like warfarin and aspirin make the small vessels more prone to breaking. High blood pressure is another contributor, especially if it’s poorly controlled. If you’re getting burst vessels repeatedly, that pattern is worth mentioning to your doctor. They may want to check your blood pressure or review your medications to reduce the chance of future episodes.
Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most burst blood vessels are completely harmless, but a few specific symptoms signal something more serious is going on. Seek care promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Vision changes. Any blurriness, double vision, or partial vision loss suggests the problem goes beyond the surface of the eye.
- Pain in the eye. A subconjunctival hemorrhage shouldn’t hurt. Pain points to a possible deeper injury or infection.
- Blood over the pupil. If you see blood covering the dark center of your eye (not just the white part), that’s a different and more serious condition.
- Signs of infection. Pus, thick discharge, swelling around the eye, or fever all warrant a call to your doctor.
- No improvement after two to three weeks. If the redness hasn’t faded or is getting worse, follow up with a healthcare provider.
If the burst vessel happened after a direct blow or significant trauma to the eye or head, get it evaluated even if you feel fine. Impact injuries can cause damage beneath the surface that isn’t immediately visible.
Preventing Recurrence
You can’t always prevent a burst blood vessel, but you can reduce the odds. If your episodes tend to follow coughing fits or sneezing, treating the underlying allergy or respiratory issue helps. Avoiding heavy straining, wearing protective eyewear during sports or yard work, and keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range all lower your risk. If you take blood thinners and keep having recurrent hemorrhages, your doctor can evaluate whether a dosage adjustment makes sense.