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Subconjunctival Hemorrhage, Sports Medicine

Holly Beach, MD, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Rupture of small vessels leading to an accumulation of blood in the subconjunctiva, the potential space between the conjunctiva and the sclera

  • Synonym(s): conjunctival hemorrhage

EPIDEMIOLOGY

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • No visual changes

  • Eye trauma, including rubbing

  • Use of aspirin or other anticoagulant

  • Medical conditions leading to increased intraocular pressure or straining, including uncontrolled HT...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Reassurance. No analgesia; condition is self-limited.

  • Condition is nonpainful; the presence of pain should alert examiner to a more serious condition 4[C].

  • Topical steroids are...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Consider ophthalmology consultation if history of ocular trauma is present or in the presence of associated ocular injury 5[C].

  • Consider hematology consultation if...

REFERENCES

1
Sahinoglu-Keskek N, Cevher S, Ergin A. Analysis of subconjunctival hemorrhage. Pak J Med Sci.  2013;29(1):132–134.
2
Wright PW, Strauss GH, Langford MP. Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Fukuyama J, Hayasaka S, Yamada K, et al. Causes of subconjunctival hemorrhage. Ophthalmologica.  1990;200(2):63–67.

  • Goroll AH, May LA, Mulley AG, eds. Primary Care Medicine: Off...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Most cases resolve completely over the course of 1 to 3 wk 3.

  • Only recurrent or persistent cases require evaluation by an ophthalmologist 1.

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