Bloodshot Eye
Q: I woke up 5 days ago with what looks like a little "burst" vein in my left eye. Since yesterday it has become much worse and has spread out to the left side of my eye. Now half my eye looks bloodshot. Could this be because I am taking a beta blocker?
A: What you are describing sounds like a subconjunctival hemorrhage. That's the medical terminology for a couple of drops of blood that escape from one of the tiny blood vessels just below the surface of the eye. The blood is under the conjunctiva, the thin, clear layer of tissue that is the outermost coating of the eye.
Most often, subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs spontaneously. Sometimes it is related to trauma. On rare occasions it is associated with certain illnesses.
Although the eye can look very red, there should not be any pain from a subconjunctival hemorrhage. If you do have pain with a red eye, then another cause needs to be considered. You should see your doctor or an eye specialist.
A subconjunctival hemorrhage should not affect your vision. Any change in vision should prompt a call to your doctor.
Spontaneous conjunctival hemorrhages are common. It is not related to the beta blocker you are taking.
Other medications, however, may be related to a subconjunctival hemorrhage. For example, people who take aspirin, warfarin, or other blood thinners are more likely to have a subconjunctival hemorrhage. But if you do take a blood thinner, don't stop the medicine because of a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Call your doctor first.
As frightening as subconjunctival hemorrhages look, they are not dangerous. The blood under the conjunctiva will get reabsorbed over time.
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Howard LeWine, M.D. is a clinical instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and practicing internist with Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He serves as Chief Medical Editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications.
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