Operational Medicine 2001
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Definition:  Blood underneath the conjunctiva.  May be mild involving only a sector of the conjunctiva, or a full 360 degrees of the globe.  

Signs/Symptoms:  

• Red eye (striking deep flat blood red conjunctiva not involving the cornea)

• Mild irritation

• May be asymptomatic

Differential Diagnosis:  

• Conjunctivitis

• Conjunctival trauma

• Globe trauma from rupture

Causes:  

• Severe coughing or sneezing

• Elevated blood pressure

• Trauma

• Valsalva

• Bleeding disorder

Evaluation:  

• History:

  • Bleeding problems

  • Medications (aspirin)

• Visual acuity

• Blood pressure

• If chronic check:

  • Clotting factors

  • CBC

  • Platelets

Treatment: 

• None 

• May use artificial tears 4 times a day for mild irritation.  

• Discontinue or discourage use of aspirin or NSAIDs

Prognosis: 

• Good

• Clears spontaneously

• Return only if recurs or does not resolve. 

This section provided by CAPT Robert B. North, Jr., MC, USN

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Operational Medicine 2001
Health Care in Military Settings

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