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Alternative names Return to top
Red eyeDefinition Return to top
Red eye is a bright red patch appearing in the white of the eye.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Subconjunctival hemorrhages are bright red patches on the white of the eye (bulbar conjunctiva) that result from rupture and bleeding of a small capillary near the surface. They can appear without warning or trauma, and they are often first noticed when one awakens and looks in the bathroom mirror.
Sudden increases in pressure such as violent sneezing or coughing can produce subconjunctival hemorrhages. These hemorrhages can also occur in people with high blood pressure or who take blood thinners.
These hemorrhages are common in newborn infants, and they often appear as a bright red sickle-shaped hemorrhage at the margin of the cornea and white of the eye. They are thought to be caused by the relatively violent pressure changes across the length of the infant's body during delivery.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Subconjunctival hemorrhages are diagnosed by direct examination.
Blood pressure should be tested. If other areas of bruising or bleeding are present, more specific tests may be needed.
Treatment Return to top
No treatment is needed.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Subconjunctival hemorrhages are self-limiting and resolve over a period of one week.Complications Return to top
There are usually no complications.Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if a bright red patch appears on the white of your child's eye.
Contact your health care provider if you take blood thinners or have bleeding or bruising in other areas.
Prevention Return to top
There is no known prevention. Update Date: 8/18/2003 Updated by: Edward B. Feinberg, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Chair, Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |