Eye Rupture: Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Eye rupture caused by burst blood vessel (Subconjunctival hemorrhage)

Subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH) is a common eye condition characterised by a patch of blood appearing on the white part of the eye, often causing concern. This article aims to shed light on the causes, symptoms, and when to seek medical advice for SCH.

Healthcare professionals categorise the potential causes of SCH into traumatic and spontaneous. Traumatic causes include physical trauma or injury, foreign objects getting into the eye, harsh rubbing of the eyes, use of contact lenses, ocular surgeries, and conditions that lead to eye rubbing. Spontaneous cases, on the other hand, occur for no apparent reason and are often referred to as "idiopathic."

The dominant cause of spontaneous SCH is systemic hypertension, or high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure can lead to fragile conjunctival blood vessels that rupture spontaneously. Other contributing factors may include bleeding disorders, blood vessel fragility from aging, and increased vascular pressure from actions such as coughing, vomiting, or heavy lifting that induce a Valsalva maneuver.

Apart from hypertension, other health conditions that can increase the risk of SCH include diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Additionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and anticoagulants such as warfarin or heparin may make burst blood vessels more likely.

In some cases, SCH may be associated with conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, pyogenic granuloma, telangiectasias, hemangiomas, and hemochromatosis. If SCH happens often, an individual should ask their healthcare professional to check their blood pressure.

When a blood vessel breaks, blood pools under the conjunctiva, meaning it is visible but trapped under this layer of tissue. The body naturally reabsorbs the blood in the eye over time, but this process may take longer if an individual uses an anticoagulation medication.

It's important to note that a burst blood vessel in the eye is usually harmless and goes away on its own with time. However, if SCH occurs due to head trauma, it may require a specialist consultation with an ophthalmologist.

The recurrence rate for spontaneous SCH is about 10% in people with no identifiable risk factors. If you experience SCH, it's always a good idea to consult with your healthcare professional to rule out any underlying health issues.

In conclusion, while SCH is generally harmless and self-resolving, it's essential to be aware of the potential causes and when to seek medical advice. If you have any concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage can be associated with various health conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, pyogenic granuloma, telangiectasias, hemangiomas, and hemochromatosis.
Apart from systemic hypertension, other health conditions that can increase the risk of SCH include diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and Kaposi's sarcoma.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and anticoagulants such as warfarin or heparin may make burst blood vessels more likely.
Traumatic causes of SCH include physical trauma or injury, foreign objects getting into the eye, harsh rubbing of the eyes, use of contact lenses, ocular surgeries, and conditions that lead to eye rubbing.
Spontaneous cases of SCH occur for no apparent reason and are often referred to as "idiopathic."
The recurrence rate for spontaneous SCH is around 10% in people with no identifiable risk factors.
In some cases, SCH may be linked to multiple chronic diseases like chronic-kidney-disease, respiratory-conditions, and autoimmune-disorders.
If an individual uses an anticoagulation medication, the process of blood reabsorption in the eye may take longer.
Other contributing factors to spontaneous SCH may include bleeding disorders, blood vessel fragility from aging, and increased vascular pressure from actions such as coughing, vomiting, or heavy lifting that induce a Valsalva maneuver.
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