Red Spot on Eye: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Explained
Learn everything you need to know about red spots on the eye—from harmless causes to serious conditions and when to seek medical help.
What You Need to Know If You Have a Red Spot on Your Eye
Seeing a red spot or patch on the white of your eye (the sclera) can be alarming. However, in most cases, it’s a harmless subconjunctival hemorrhage that does not require treatment. Understanding the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and when to see a doctor can provide reassurance and guide you in seeking appropriate care if necessary.
Understanding Red Spots on the Eye
The appearance of a red spot on the white part of your eye is typically caused by a leak or break in the tiny blood vessels just beneath the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane covering the eye. This leakage leads to a subconjunctival hemorrhage, which often looks worse than it feels and generally resolves without intervention.
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage: The most common and usually benign cause, appearing as a single red spot or patch on the white of the eye.
- Other causes may include trauma, underlying health conditions, or less often, infections or inflammation.
Most individuals do not experience pain, vision changes, or sensitivity with subconjunctival hemorrhage. However, certain symptoms or recurring spots may indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires medical attention.
Causes of Red Spots on the Eye
There are several potential causes for the appearance of a red spot on the eye. The following are the most common sources:
- Sudden pressure changes: Activities that momentarily increase pressure in the blood vessels of the head and neck—such as sneezing, coughing, vomiting, heavy lifting, or intense physical strain—can cause small blood vessels in the conjunctiva to rupture.
- Eye injuries: Direct trauma to the eye or rubbing it vigorously can also lead to hemorrhage.
- Medical conditions: Underlying health issues, like diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), or blood-clotting disorders, can make the blood vessels more fragile and prone to rupture.
- Medications: Blood-thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications) increase the risk of spontaneous bleeding under the conjunctiva.
- Eye surgery or injections: Some procedures or injections into the eye may cause subconjunctival bleeding as a side effect.
- Rare causes: Severe eye infection, inflammation, or diseases affecting the blood vessels can also present with red spots, but these are less common.
| Cause | How it occurs |
|---|---|
| Subconjunctival Hemorrhage | Leakage from small blood vessels under the conjunctiva, often from a sudden pressure increase |
| Trauma | Direct injury, rubbing, or exposure to foreign body |
| Medical Conditions | Fragile vessels from diabetes, high blood pressure, or clotting disorders |
| Medications | Side effect of blood thinners or antiplatelet medications |
| Eye Procedures | After eye injections or surgery |
Symptoms to Watch For
- The vast majority of cases cause no pain, irritation, or change in vision.
- Some might feel mild irritation or dryness but not usually severe discomfort.
- The red spot itself may change color—turning yellow or fading—as it heals, much like a bruise.
When additional symptoms are present—such as pain, vision loss, discharge, or swelling—the cause may be more serious and should be evaluated by a doctor.
How Is a Red Spot on the Eye Diagnosed?
Diagnosing a red spot on the eye typically involves a straightforward evaluation:
- Your doctor will visually inspect the eye to determine if the problem is a subconjunctival hemorrhage or something more complex.
- If you have underlying conditions (such as diabetes or high blood pressure), your doctor may assess whether these contributed to the hemorrhage.
- If the doctor suspects an alternative cause (like hyphema, which is bleeding in the anterior chamber of the eye), further tests may be necessary, such as:
- Measuring intraocular pressure
- Detailed slit-lamp examination
- Imaging (e.g., CT scan) in cases of trauma or suspected deeper injury
What others are reading
If symptoms suggest infection or inflammation, additional tests or a comprehensive eye exam may be performed to check for:
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Blepharitis (inflammation of eyelids)
- Vascular or systemic diseases
Treatment Options for Red Spot on the Eye
Most cases of subconjunctival hemorrhage do not require any specific treatment. The blood spot usually clears on its own within several days to two weeks, depending on the size.
- Artificial tears: Lubricating eye drops can relieve mild irritation or a dry sensation.
- Cool compresses: Applying a cool, damp cloth over closed eyes may help reduce any discomfort, though most people experience none.
- Monitor for change: Watch for new or worsening symptoms such as swelling, discharge, pain, or changes in vision.
Treatments for Underlying Causes
If a red spot is caused by an underlying condition such as diabetic retinopathy, targeted interventions may be necessary:
- Controlling diabetes and hypertension: Managing blood sugar and blood pressure helps prevent recurrent or severe eye bleeding.
- For diabetic retinopathy or other retinal disease:
- Anti-VEGF injections: Block proteins that encourage abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage.
- Laser surgery: Reduces swelling, seals leaking vessels, or treats retinal detachment.
- Steroid injections: Decrease inflammation.
- Vitrectomy: Surgical removal of blood, scar tissue, or damaged vitreous gel.
Treatment for other causes, like infections (conjunctivitis), may involve antibiotic or antiviral eye drops, depending on the cause.
When to See a Doctor
Although most subconjunctival hemorrhages are harmless, you should seek medical advice if any of the following occur:
- The red spot does not improve after two weeks.
- There is pain, irritation, swelling, or discharge from the eye.
- Vision is blurry, reduced, or suddenly changes.
- You think there is a foreign body in your eye.
- You experience severe headaches alongside eye changes.
- You have diabetes or another chronic disease affecting the eyes.
- You have recurrent or unexplained red spots on your eyes.
Special Advice for People with Diabetes
- Have a full, comprehensive eye exam at least once a year.
- Report any new vision changes, floaters, red spots, or other unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider right away.
What Is the Outlook?
The prognosis for a subconjunctival hemorrhage is excellent. Symptoms are usually transient and resolve on their own. The red spot may fade through stages—red to orange to yellow—before disappearing entirely. There is generally no long-term impact on vision or eye health if caused by trauma, straining, or other mild triggers.
If the red spot is due to a more serious underlying condition, early intervention can improve outcomes and prevent complications such as permanent vision loss.
The Bottom Line
Finding a red spot on your eye can be startling, but it is most often a benign event that does not threaten your vision or require treatment. Monitoring your symptoms and consulting with a doctor if you have pain, visual changes, or recurrent problems is the best way to protect your eye health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is a red spot on my eye dangerous?
A: Most often, a red spot on the eye is a harmless subconjunctival hemorrhage and will heal without treatment. However, if you have other symptoms like pain, swelling, vision changes, or if the spot recurs, see your doctor.
Q: How long does a subconjunctival hemorrhage take to heal?
A: Most subconjunctival hemorrhages fade within a few days to two weeks. You may see the color change as it heals, similar to how a bruise changes color on the skin.
Q: What causes subconjunctival hemorrhage?
A: Common triggers include sudden increases in blood pressure (from sneezing, coughing, vomiting, or straining), trauma, rubbing your eye, or side effects of medications and medical conditions that affect blood vessels.
Q: Should I use eye drops or medications for a red spot?
A: Generally, no treatment is necessary, but over-the-counter artificial tears can relieve mild irritation. Do not use any medicated drops without your doctor’s recommendation, especially if you have pain or vision changes.
Q: When should I be worried about a red spot on my eye?
A: See a doctor if you experience pain, vision changes, persistent or recurring spots, discharge, severe headaches, or if the spot doesn’t improve after two weeks.
Q: Can diabetes cause red spots on the eyes?
A: Yes, diabetes can cause changes in the small blood vessels of the eye, increasing the risk for bleeding and red spots. Regular eye exams are essential for people with diabetes to prevent serious complications.
References
- https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/red-spot-on-eye
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324752
- https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-redness
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthline
- https://www.healthline.com/health/video/melanonychia
- https://www.webmd.com
- https://www.ocutears.co.uk/what-causes-red-and-bloodshot-eyes-and-how-to-treat-them/
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
- https://medlineplus.gov
Similar Articles
Read full bio of medha deb
