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Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Nisarg Joshi, BS, MD and Ankur Sudhir Gupta, M.D., M.S. Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH) is bleeding from small blood vessels underneath the conjunctiva, the thin clear skin covering the sclera (white part) of the eye.

  • SCH is diagnosed cli...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Usually, the patient notices redness in the mirror or another person mentions it to the patient.

  • Generally, patients do not have ocular symptoms.

  • May complain of mild irritation or fore...

TREATMENT

  • Reassurance is important.

  • SCH self-resolves with time.

  • Artificial tears can be used four times a day as needed for eye irritation (3)[C].

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Control BP.

  • Control blood glucose.

  • Contr...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Follow up only if the area does not resolve in about 2 weeks.

  • If SCH recurs, then work up patient for systemic sources such as bleeding disorders (3)[C] or diabet...

REFERENCES

1
Mimura  T, Usui  T, Yamagami  S, et al. Recent causes of subconjunctival hemorrhage. Ophthalmologica.  2010;224(3):133–137. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

CODES

ICD10

  • H11.30 Conjunctival hemorrhage, unspecified eye

  • H11.31 Conjunctival hemorrhage, right eye

  • H11.32 Conjunctival hemorrhage, left eye

  • H11.33 Conjunctival hemorrhage, bilateral

SNOMED

  • 78768009 Subco...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • SCH is a clinical diagnosis. The condition is typically asymptomatic and will self-resolve within 2 weeks.

  • Risk factors include trauma, intense Valsalva, HTN, and diabetes.

  • Indications f...

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