Bleeding Eyes: Causes & Urgent Action Required

Bleeding from or in the eye is a medical emergency. I cannot perform surgery or provide treatment. You must see an ophthalmologist or go to the ER immediately.

Potential Causes

• Subconjunctival hemorrhage – Bright red patch on white of eye; usually painless, benign, resolves in 1–2 weeks. Often from straining, coughing, trauma, hypertension.
• Hyphema – Blood in anterior chamber (between cornea and iris); from trauma, surgery, clotting disorders. Can increase intraocular pressure → glaucoma.
• Vitreous hemorrhage – Blood in vitreous cavity; from diabetic retinopathy, retinal tear/detachment, trauma, vascular occlusion. Causes floaters, vision loss.
• Retinal hemorrhage – Seen on exam; associated with diabetes, hypertension, macular degeneration.
• Trauma – Blunt or penetrating injury; may involve globe rupture.
• Neovascularization – Abnormal fragile vessels from ischemia (diabetes, vein occlusion).

Red Flags: Seek Emergency Care

• Vision loss or decrease
• Eye pain, headache
• History of trauma
• Blood obscuring pupil/iris
• Associated nausea/vomiting (possible acute glaucoma)

Do not rub the eye. Protect with a shield (not pressure patch) if trauma suspected. Urgent ophthalmology evaluation is essential.