Subconjunctival hemorrhage - Education: Which statement is true?

• A. It is a bruise on the back part of the eye.
• B. It is unrelated to bleeding disorders.
• C. It is a bruise on the front part of the eye and may be due to coughing, straining, lifting heavy, trauma, or blood thinners.
• D. It requires immediate surgical intervention.

Answer: (C)

Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a bruise on the front surface of the eye, the conjunctiva. It happens when a small conjunctival blood vessel bleeds, creating a bright red patch that sits on the white of the eye. This condition is commonly triggered by a sudden rise in venous pressure from coughing, sneezing, straining, heavy lifting, or minor trauma, and it can also occur with the use of blood thinners. Despite its dramatic appearance, it typically doesn’t affect vision, causes little or no pain, and usually resolves on its own within one to two weeks without treatment. It does not require immediate surgical intervention. While most cases are benign, recurrent episodes or bleeding with other symptoms can prompt evaluation for a bleeding disorder or other systemic issues.