Red Spots On The Eyes: Why Do They Occur?

Even though red spots on the eyes can worry those who have them, in the majority of cases, they are related to benign processes that do not endanger health. They tend to disappear on their own, over the days.

Red spots on the eyes also bear the name of eye discharge, of subconjunctival haemorrhage or hyposphagma. They appear when certain capillaries or blood vessels rupture in an area of ​​the eye called the conjunctiva .

The red spots on the eyes look this way because the blood gets lodged between two areas of the conjunctiva: the sclera and the bulbar . Although their appearance may cause concern,  in general, they do not represent a serious health problem.

Red spots on the eyes often appear without a bump or injury. In almost all cases, people realize that they have them when they look at themselves in the mirror because they very rarely cause pain or blurry vision.

Red spots on the eyes

Red spots on the eyes are bleeding that appears on the white part of the eye. They have a brilliant color and can be seen at a glance. As we have already noted, they correspond to ruptured vessels or capillaries. The blood does not come out because it remains lodged between two areas of the conjunctiva.

Although this symptom may cause concern because of its appearance, in principle, it does not indicate anything serious. These are almost always temporary lesions which,  in the majority of cases, do not take more than a week to disappear. These spots should not be a reason for consultation with a specialist, unless they occur very frequently.

The most common is that the red spots on the eyes are not accompanied by any other symptoms. They only deserve a consultation with the ophthalmologist if there are signs of external bleeding, traces of blood in the iris, constant pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or the appearance of a protuberance in the eye. In these cases, it may be a corneal discharge and this requires immediate attention.

The conjunctiva

To better understand this symptom, it is necessary to know some details about the conjunctiva. It is a very thin, elastic and transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eye, called the sclera or sclera . It also covers the inner face of the eyelids.

The conjunctiva has an important role in the defense and protection of the eyes. In general terms, it constitutes a protective barrier against possible infections. In addition, it is fundamental to provide the lubrication that the cornea needs.

In the conjunctiva we find a large amount of blood vessels. These can eventually rupture and cause a small hemorrhage that seeps into the white part of the eye. When the amount of blood reaches a certain volume, the red spots on the eyes appear.

Why do red spots on the eyes occur?

Eye bleeding occurs for different reasons. In the majority of cases, they are due to one or more of the following causes:

• Sudden increases in blood pressure:  These occur when you sneeze or cough very hard, which leads to the rupture of capillaries.
• Trauma to the eye:  Sometimes a small blow or the simple act of rubbing the eyes vigorously leads to a small discharge of blood in this area.
• Certain medicines:  Some medicines cause blood clotting to deteriorate and cause red spots to appear on the eyes.
• Concomitant diseases:  in a minority of cases, these types of bleeding are due to high blood pressure or  diabetes mellitus.

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is unlikely to compromise vision health  or be a symptom of serious illness. The sclera itself almost always reabsorbs blood within a period of no more than ten days. This is why there are no standard treatments to treat this condition.

Other data to take into account

Usually, the red spots on the eyes are very red and shiny in color at first. As the days go by, the tone darkens and intensifies. Then, little by little, they start to dissipate, until they disappear for good.

It is normal for the eye to have a yellowish coloration at the end of this process. It is recommended, during this time, not to sleep on the left side of the body and to avoid the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. In addition, the person should absolutely not self-medicate.

It is also not advisable to rub your eyes during this process  as it may increase the bleeding. If this benign lesion is due to a stroke, it is necessary to consult the doctor to determine its scope and consequences.