Red spot in the eye (hemorrhage in the eye)

What are the causes of a red spot in the eye?

The causes of a spot or red spot in the eye (a hemorrhage in the eye), which may be of various sizes, are many and varied, but most of them are not dangerous. Nevertheless, it is worth consulting an ophthalmologist to characterize the spot and adjust treatment.

The most common cause of a red spot in the eye is a subconjunctival hemorrhage. There are small blood vessels beneath the conjunctiva of our eye. The conjunctiva is the transparent covering over the sclera, the white part of the eye. When one of the vessels breaks, the blood is seen beneath the conjunctiva. Usually this involves a small blood vessel that opens for various reasons, most of them trivial and related to lifestyle, but some hint at a more serious disease. It can be an alarming situation to see a large red spot or a hemorrhage in the eye. However, as long as there is no pain or irritation, in most cases the blood will be absorbed and this condition will not be dangerous. If the blood is not absorbed and the spot remains or is accompanied by further symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

These hemorrhages can have several causes, including:

• Trauma
• High pressure produced by constipation, sneezing, coughing or vomiting
• Lifting a heavy weight
• Diabetes, a disease that affects the level of sugar in the blood and can also affect the blood vessels in the eyes in later stages
• High blood pressure

This condition does not usually require specific treatment, but rather ruling out a dangerous disease that can present as a subconjunctival hemorrhage. The red spot in the eye usually resolves on its own, generally within a week. If the hemorrhage is large, it may take a little longer. During the healing process the spot may resemble a yellowish bruise.

Even if you think your red spot is an insignificant subconjunctival hemorrhage, it is always better to see your doctor and rule out a more dangerous cause. Sometimes recurrent red spots in the eye are a warning sign of much more serious problems.

There are several other causes of a red spot detected on the eye that your ophthalmologist will want to consider.

Can a red spot in the eye be episcleritis?

Episcleritis is an inflammatory process of the episclera, the thin tissue between the transparent conjunctiva and the white sclera. This common phenomenon is in most cases acute, appears quickly and resolves on its own without the need for treatment. Systemic infectious or autoimmune inflammatory disorders can also cause episcleritis and red spots in the eye, so in the case of a suspicion of involvement of body systems or a recurrence of the red spot in the eye, more serious causes of bleeding should be ruled out.

Can a red spot in the eye be a pterygium?

A pterygium is a benign growth or thickening of the tissue that covers the outer part of the eye – the conjunctiva. Usually a reddish spot can be seen on the side of the eye near the nose. The trigger for this growth of conjunctival tissue is thought to be exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays or long-term irritation of the eye.

In many cases, there is no need to treat a pterygium if it does not cause pain and does not continue to grow. It is necessary to remove the pterygium in a relatively simple surgery if it causes uncomfortable symptoms or impairs vision. Some people choose to have the pterygium removed surgically for aesthetic reasons.

Hemangioma of the conjunctiva

A hemangioma of the conjunctiva is a mass of malformed blood vessels that develops on the white of the eye as a result of abnormal growth of the cells that line the blood vessels. This condition is in most cases congenital, and usually appears a few weeks after birth. Usually, this red spot on the eye will disappear as the child grows.

In rare cases, hemangiomas of the conjunctiva can appear in adults. Although they are usually harmless, some people prefer to have them removed surgically. If they are not removed, they should be checked once a year.

When to see a doctor for a red spot in the eye?

Do not ignore a new red spot in your eye. If it remains for more than a few days or recurs frequently, consult your ophthalmologist. A comprehensive eye examination and a general check-up will help your treating physician rule out more serious conditions.