subconjunctival hemorrhage

Etiology

• fragile capillaries
• eye trauma
• diabetes mellitus
• hypertension
• antiplatelet agents
• anticoagulants
• increased intraocular pressure (coughing, sneezing, Valsalva manuevers)
• idiopathic

Clinical manifestations

• minimal to no eye pain
• no visual symptoms
• discreted bight red confluent region without hyperemia
• hemorrhage appears on the conjunctival (white) part of the eye rather than over the cornea (hyphema)

Laboratory

• see bleeding disorder

Diagnostic procedures

• ophthalmoscopy if due to traumatic eye injury
• slit lamp examination for recurrent hemorrhages

Management

• artifical tears as needed
• avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
• avoid physical strain
• self-limited, generally resolves within 2 weeks

More general terms

• ocular hemorrhage (hemophthalmos)