A sudden, bright red dot appearing on the white part of the eye is a common occurrence. This dramatic-looking patch of color is a form of bruising on the eye’s surface, appearing as a small spot or covering a larger area. While the appearance can be alarming, this spontaneous bleeding is usually harmless. Understanding the causes, resolution, and when to seek professional attention is important for peace of mind.
Understanding Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
The medical term for this red dot is a subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH), defined as blood leakage beneath the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a thin, clear membrane covering the sclera, the white outer layer of the eyeball. This transparent layer contains numerous tiny, fragile capillaries that can easily rupture.
When a vessel breaks, blood leaks out and becomes trapped between the conjunctiva and the underlying sclera. Since the blood cannot drain away, it pools in this superficial space, creating a sharply demarcated red patch. The stark contrast of the bright red blood against the white sclera often makes the hemorrhage look far more severe than it actually is.
Everyday Actions That Cause It
Subconjunctival hemorrhage is often triggered by everyday actions that cause a sudden, temporary increase in venous pressure in the head and neck. This rapid pressure spike can rupture a delicate capillary. Straining activities are common culprits, including forceful coughing, violent sneezing, vomiting, or straining during a bowel movement due to constipation.
Minor trauma, such as aggressively rubbing the eye or engaging in heavy weightlifting, can also break the small blood vessels. In many instances, the hemorrhage occurs without any clear, identifiable cause. Certain underlying medical factors also increase the risk of these fragile vessels breaking.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) or the use of blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin or anticoagulants, predispose individuals to easier bleeding. Conditions affecting blood clotting can also lead to recurrent episodes.
The Healing Timeline and Resolution
A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a self-limiting condition that resolves without specific medical treatment. The body naturally reabsorbs the pooled blood over time, similar to how a bruise fades on the skin. The entire process usually takes between one to three weeks, depending on the initial size of the hemorrhage.
As the blood is reabsorbed, the color gradually changes, transitioning from bright red to darker red, and then often appearing yellowish or green before disappearing completely. Vision remains unaffected, and there is generally no pain, though the eye may feel mildly irritated or gritty.
Over-the-counter eye drops or patches do not speed up healing, as the blood is trapped beneath the membrane, so management is conservative. If mild discomfort is present, artificial tears can be used to lubricate the eye surface.
Warning Signs Requiring a Doctor Visit
While most subconjunctival hemorrhages are benign, certain accompanying symptoms require professional medical evaluation. You should seek immediate care if the red spot is accompanied by significant eye pain or if you notice changes in vision, such as blurriness or double vision. These symptoms are not typical of a simple SCH and may indicate a deeper injury or a different condition.
A recent history of direct eye or head trauma should also prompt a doctor’s visit, even if the hemorrhage appears minor. Trauma-induced bleeding needs evaluation to ensure no damage to deeper eye structures. Additionally, a physician should be consulted if you experience frequent, unexplained recurrence, or if the hemorrhage fails to clear within the expected three-week period. This may signal an underlying systemic issue, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure or a blood clotting irregularity, that requires treatment.