Introduction
If your subconjunctival hemorrhage does not improve within two weeks or if you've had multiple instances, it's essential to contact your ophthalmologist, a medical doctor specializing in eye care and surgery.
You should also reach out to your ophthalmologist if you experience a hemorrhage in both eyes simultaneously or if the subconjunctival hemorrhage is accompanied by other bleeding symptoms, such as easy bruising, bleeding gums, or both.
Immediate consultation with your ophthalmologist is necessary if you have a subconjunctival hemorrhage and experience:
- Pain associated with the hemorrhage
- Changes in vision (e.g., blurry vision, double vision, difficulty seeing)
- A history of a bleeding disorder
- A history of high blood pressure
- An eye injury from trauma
Self-Care at Home
In most cases, subconjunctival hemorrhages do not require treatment. You can use over-the-counter artificial tears if you experience mild irritation.
Avoid the use of aspirin or ibuprofen.
Outlook
A subconjunctival hemorrhage typically resolves on its own within one to two weeks. Recovery is usually complete, with no long-term issues, similar to a mild bruise under the skin. As it heals, a subconjunctival hemorrhage changes colors, often from red to orange to yellow. In contrast, a skin bruise changes to various shades of green, black, and blue as it heals because the blood is visible through the skin. However, the conjunctiva is transparent, so a subconjunctival hemorrhage does not exhibit these color characteristics.
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