The Red Spot Mystery: What to Know About "Popped" Eye Vessels

July 7, 2025

A close up of a man 's eye with a red spot on it.

Read time: 4 minutes

A bright red patch suddenly appears on the white of your eye. It looks dramatic, maybe even alarming — but surprisingly, it’s likely nothing serious. This is what’s commonly called a “popped” blood vessel in the eye, known medically as a subconjunctival hemorrhage. While the name might sound intense, it’s usually painless, harmless, and more of a cosmetic concern than a medical emergency.

So what exactly causes this eye phenomenon, and what should you do when it happens?

What Is a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?

The eye is filled with a network of delicate blood vessels. When one of these tiny vessels breaks underneath the conjunctiva — the clear surface covering the white part of your eye — it leaks a small amount of blood, creating that unmistakable red blotch. Because the conjunctiva doesn’t absorb blood quickly, the redness stays visible until your body gradually reabsorbs it. It’s similar to a bruise on your skin, but without the swelling or pain.

What Causes a Blood Vessel to Burst in the Eye?

Subconjunctival hemorrhages can happen for many reasons, most of them benign. Common causes include:

Sudden pressure changes: Coughing, sneezing, heavy lifting, or vomiting can all spike blood pressure briefly and cause a vessel to rupture.
Excessive vomiting: Forceful retching dramatically increases pressure in the head and neck, making blood vessels more likely to break — especially around the eyes.
Eye trauma: Rubbing your eyes too hard or accidentally poking them can damage a vessel.
Straining: Constipation or any activity that involves bearing down can also contribute.
High blood pressure: Chronically elevated blood pressure can weaken vessel walls, making them more prone to breaking.
Blood thinners or aspirin: These medications can make even a minor rupture look worse and last longer.
Medical conditions: Rarely, conditions that affect clotting or increase fragility of blood vessels—like diabetes, blood disorders, or certain infections — can be behind frequent episodes.

Frequent burst vessels could point to an underlying health issue like hypertension. If you have a history of high blood pressure, it's worth exploring how high blood pressure affects your eyes to better understand the connection between systemic health and eye wellness.

What Are the Symptoms?

Most people notice the condition when they look in the mirror or someone else points it out. Here’s what to expect:

A bright red or dark patch on the white of the eye (sclera)
No pain or vision changes
Sometimes a mild sense of fullness or scratchiness, but no discharge

It’s important to remember that not every red eye is harmless. If you experience pain, significant vision changes, or the red area covers the entire eye — or if you’ve had repeated hemorrhages — you should consult your eye doctor.

To learn more about when red eyes could be something more serious, check out our guide to common eye emergencies.

How Is It Treated?

Fortunately, no treatment is usually necessary. The body will naturally reabsorb the blood over 1 to 2 weeks, similar to how a bruise fades. You may notice the red spot change colors (from red to brown or yellowish) as it heals.

To support recovery:

Use lubricating eye drops if you feel irritation or dryness
Avoid rubbing your eyes
Monitor your blood pressure, especially if hemorrhages happen frequently
See an optometrist if it doesn't improve within 2 weeks or happens repeatedly

If the surface of your eye feels irritated, you may be dealing with additional dryness or inflammation. Learn how to keep your eyes comfortable with simple hydration strategies in our post on dry eyes and eye irritation.

If you're on blood thinners or aspirin, discuss the episode with your prescribing doctor — but never stop medication without medical advice.

Should You Be Worried?

While it can look startling, a popped blood vessel in the eye is rarely serious. However, frequent occurrences might signal an underlying issue that deserves attention — like hypertension or a blood-clotting disorder. If you’re getting them often, don’t ignore it.

For people with no other symptoms and a one-time occurrence, rest assured: it's usually just a temporary and harmless visual issue.

The Takeaway

A popped blood vessel in the eye may look severe, but it’s usually painless and resolves on its own within two weeks. Often caused by sudden increases in pressure — from sneezing, vomiting, or even straining — it’s rarely linked to anything dangerous. Still, if it becomes a frequent problem, or you notice pain or vision changes, a professional eye exam is essential to rule out more serious conditions.

If you're ever unsure, Urban Optiks is here to help you see clearly and stay healthy — schedule an eye evaluation for peace of mind and expert care.

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The information provided in this article is intended for general knowledge and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is strongly recommended to consult with an eye care professional for personalized recommendations and guidance regarding your individual needs and eye health concerns.

All of Urban Optiks Optometry's blog posts and articles contain information carefully curated from openly sourced materials available in the public domain. We strive to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information provided. For a comprehensive understanding of our practices and to read our full disclosure statement, please click here.

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Close-up of an eye with an abrasion, illuminated with ultraviolet light.

Corneal Abrasions: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Protect Your Eyes

October 7, 2025

Read time: 5 minutes The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye. It plays two essential roles: focusing light for sharp vision and protecting the eye’s delicate inner structures from debris and infection. Because it is both exposed and highly sensitive, the cornea is especially vulnerable to injury. A scratch or scrape on its surface is known as a corneal abrasion. While many abrasions are minor and heal quickly, they can cause significant discomfort and may lead to complications if left untreated. Knowing the causes, symptoms, and treatments can help you protect your vision and respond appropriately if an injury occurs. What Is a Corneal Abrasion? A corneal abrasion is a scratch or scrape on the epithelium, the thin outer layer of the cornea. This surface contains numerous nerve endings, which explains why even small abrasions often cause sudden, sharp pain. Along with discomfort, abrasions can also blur vision until the surface has healed. You can find out more about corneal abrasions in this article from Harvard Health Publishing . Common Causes Corneal abrasions often happen in everyday life, from something as simple as rubbing the eye too hard to environmental hazards at work or outdoors. Some of the most common causes include: Foreign particles such as dust, sand, or metal shavings entering the eye Accidental scratches , often from fingernails or makeup brushes Improper contact lens use , including wearing them overnight or with poor hygiene Paper cuts from envelopes or books Tree branches or leaves encountered outdoors Workplace hazards , especially when protective eyewear is not used Symptoms to Watch For Because the cornea is so sensitive, symptoms usually appear immediately. These may include: Sudden eye pain, especially noticeable when blinking Redness, tearing, and excessive blinking A persistent sensation of something in the eye (foreign body sensation) Light sensitivity ( photophobia ) Blurred or decreased vision Difficulty keeping the eye open These symptoms can overlap with other conditions, including corneal infections, so a professional exam is recommended rather than self-diagnosis. Diagnosis Eye doctors typically use a slit-lamp microscope to examine the cornea in detail. They may also apply a fluorescein dye, which makes scratches more visible under blue light. This exam helps confirm the abrasion and check for any trapped foreign objects. In more serious cases, or if caused by high-velocity particles, additional imaging may be used. Treatment and Healing Most corneal abrasions heal within 24 to 72 hours. Treatment focuses on pain relief, preventing infection, and supporting the natural healing process. Depending on the injury, your doctor may recommend: Lubricating drops or ointments to ease irritation Antibiotic drops to prevent infection (especially important for contact lens wearers) Prescription drops to relax eye muscles and reduce pain in some cases Avoiding contact lenses until healing is complete Protective eyewear to prevent further trauma Eye patches are rarely used today, and steroid drops are generally avoided during the initial healing period since they can slow recovery. Special Considerations for Contact Lens Wearers Contact lenses increase the risk of both abrasions and infections. Wearing lenses too long, handling them without proper hygiene, or sleeping in them can scratch the cornea and create conditions for bacterial growth. If you wear contacts and develop sudden eye pain, redness, or blurry vision, remove the lenses immediately and see your eye doctor. Continuing to wear contacts over an abrasion can worsen the injury and delay healing. When to Seek Medical Care Even if symptoms seem mild, it’s best to have corneal abrasions evaluated by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Seek prompt care if: Pain lasts longer than 24 hours Vision becomes increasingly blurry Sensitivity to light worsens There is discharge, swelling, or signs of infection You have a history of recurrent corneal erosions Without treatment, abrasions may lead to complications such as corneal ulcers or scarring, both of which can cause permanent vision changes. Prevention Many abrasions are preventable with good habits. Steps you can take include: Wearing protective eyewear during high-risk activities like construction, sports, or yard work Handling contact lenses with clean hands and avoiding overnight wear unless prescribed Replacing eye makeup tools regularly and keeping them clean Avoiding rubbing your eyes, especially in dusty or dry environments Using artificial tears to keep the eyes hydrated The Takeaway Corneal abrasions may be common, but they should never be ignored. With proper treatment, most heal quickly and without lasting effects. However, untreated abrasions can progress into serious eye conditions that permanently affect vision. Whether from contact lenses, workplace exposure, or everyday accidents, protecting your cornea is essential to safeguarding your eyesight. Learn more about other corneal conditions in this article from the National Eye Institute.