What to do if a vessel in the eye bursts

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What happens when a blood vessel bursts in the eye?

Let us immediately note that when we see a bright red spot on the white of the eye, the vessel bursts not inside the eye, but in its outer shell. A rupture of a vessel inside an organ has completely different symptoms and consequences. Visible gap inCancerians call subconjunctival hemorrhage, that is, hemorrhage in the thin and transparent membrane covering the white (albuginea) of the eye. It turns out that the blood pouring out from the ruptured vessel spreads a puddle between the transparent shell and the dense white one, so it all looks like redness of the eye and the appearance of a blood-red spot on it.

Why can a vessel in the eye burst?

Subconjunctival bleeding can occur due to various reasons:

• Severe cough or sneezing.
• Vomit.
• Lifting weights.
• Injury. This can happen if you rub your eyes too hard or put on or take off your contact lenses poorly.
• Eye surgery. After this, bleeding may begin.

Risk increases in people with diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, and also when taking medications that affect clotting.

How to distinguish a burst vessel from other problems

The eyes turn red for various reasons, but a burst vessel can be distinguished by certain signs. Usually on the tunica albuginea appears a clear red spot that may increase in the first two days. Sometimes the whites turn completely red. In this case, there is no pain if the vessel burst not due to injury. Also, some people feel discomfort or irritation, and redness and dilated blood vessels can be seen around the spot.

The blood will begin to dissolve in a few days. Then the spot will gradually turn yellow-orange and then disappear.

What is the danger of a burst vessel in the eye?

Typically subconjunctival hemorrhage does not lead to complications. But sometimes a burst vessel can be a symptom of a serious injury, a serious concomitant illness, or a crisis in the course of a chronic disease. And they, in turn, can cause vision loss.

What to do if a vessel in the eye bursts

Usually everything passes in just 2-3 weeks. To reduce irritation, doctors sometimes prescribe tear substitutes or other drops that moisturize the surface of the eye.

It is forbidden use drops to relieve redness, antiallergic or vasoconstrictor drugs. They will not give results, but can cause side effects.

You will need to see a doctor to understand the causes of bleeding:

• if after 2–3 days the hemorrhage does not decrease, but rather increases;
• blood vessels burst in the eye in a number of places at once;
• There are other symptoms of bleeding, such as bleeding gums, blood in the urine or stool, and a lot of bruising on the skin.

When you need to see a doctor urgently

Necessary Contact an ophthalmologist immediately or call an ambulance if:

• the eye is seriously injured;
• there was severe pain;
• vision became blurred and double;
• the vessel burst due to hypertension or a blood clotting disorder;
• other complaints appeared about the condition of the damaged eye, which were not present before the hemorrhage.