Subconjunctival hemorrhage

Definition:

A bright red patch appearing in the white of the eye.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Subconjunctival hemorrhages are bright red patches on the white of the eye (bulbar conjunctiva) that result from rupture and bleeding of a small capillary near the surface. They can appear without warning or trauma, and they are often first noticed when one awakens and looks in the bathroom mirror. Sudden increases in pressure such as violent sneezing or coughing can produce subconjunctival hemorrhages. These hemorrhages are common in newborn infants and often appear as a bright red sickle-shaped hemorrhage at the margin of the cornea and white of the eye. They are thought to be caused by the relatively violent pressure changes across the length of the infant's body during delivery.