How to manage blood vessel burst in the eye?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I take Lisinopril for blood pressure, Symbicort for asthma, Metformin for PCOS, and Flonase for allergies. Today I was sitting and just talking and I got a pain in my left eye. I went to the restroom and looked in the mirror and I guess I had a broken blood vessel. What is worrying me is it is not that painful but I have discomfort to touch and it feels scratchy.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Bachar Khoury

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This is called subconjunctival hemorrhage. It happens when a blood vessel bursts and gives some blood out, under the superficial layer of the eye called conjunctiva. It happens because of high pressure in the vessel like high blood pressure or coughing or constipation or holding heavy objects.

The treatment usually is only by lubricant eye drops if it happens for the first time. But if it is recurrent every week or so, you should go for blood tests: PT (prothrombin time), PTT (partial thromboplastin time), INR (international normalized ratio) for blood coagulation tests. Finally, since you are coughing, so there is an obvious cause for the bleeding.

I recommend to treat it with installing any lubricant eyedrops a few times a day. The eye should go back to normal in about ten days to two weeks. If not or if it happens again go to your doctor for blood tests.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.

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Answered by Dr. Bachar Khoury

Medically reviewed by Dr. Vinodhini J.

March 12, 2020

June 5, 2026

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Bachar Khoury

Ophthalmology (Eye Care)

Consult this doctor