My eye has a red spot that is spreading. What could cause this?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for writing in.

I had a look at the photo (attachment removed to protect patient identity) you sent, and it looks like a subconjunctival hemorrhage. It can occur in scenarios, such as if you inadvertently injure your eye in your sleep. If you suffer from high blood pressure, a blood vessel can burst as the conjunctiva vessels are fragile. Or due to increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing episodes, sneezing, blowing your nose hard, and even constipation and straining during defecation.

And if you are on blood thinners like Aspirin, etc. Sometimes it can occur spontaneously without any of the above factors. It starts as a spot and then spreads with gravity. It will slowly disappear in a week to ten days.

No treatment is required right now, but you can use a lubricating eye drop for any discomfort. A vitamin C tablet will help the vessels and help them absorb faster. Take it for two weeks. In case this recurs often, then you will need to see a physician.

For now, do not worry about it. Please feel free to respond with any more questions.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

As I mentioned, it will spread depending on your position, namely, lying down or upright due to gravity. The new photo (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) you sent appears in the same location and does not look fresh. The bleeding will spread, change color gradually, and then disappear.

If a new one seems elsewhere, then you will need to see a physician. You can try a cold compress twice a day for a couple of days, and the vitamin C supplements. There are no specific eye drops that make it go away faster. The leaked blood needs to get reabsorbed. The lubricating eye drops will soothe the eye.

Please have your blood pressure checked if possible. You can buy an electronic BP (blood pressure) cuff online if you prefer to avoid going to a hospital.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is normal. Please answer a few of my questions:

• Are you taking any tablets like Aspirin for headaches, etc.?
• Did you lift any heavyweights the previous day?
• If you cut yourself inadvertently, does it take longer to stop bleeding?

Please revert.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Fifty percent of these subconjunctival hemorrhages are spontaneous with no obvious causes, so do not worry about it. Larger cuts would naturally take longer to stop bleeding, so I do not think that is an issue. When you get your annual health check-up, you can request a PT (prothrombin time), INR (international normalized ratio) blood test, which tests clotting.

But there is no rush. You can do that when the pandemic settles down. If it does recur and you notice it early, put some gentle local pressure on the eyeball for one to two minutes at a time for seven minutes so that the bleeding stops. This only helps if you catch it early. Most people notice it the next morning, or if someone points it out. For now, just the supplements and lubricating drops will suffice.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.