A red spot on the white of your eye can be quite disturbing but it may not be a medical emergency in many cases, assure ophthalmologists. In a majority, the red spot on the eye develops when blood gets collected under conjunctiva due to a subconjunctival hemorrhage, similar to excessive bleeding experienced in haemophilia.

Conjunctiva is a transparent membrane covering the outer surface of the eye. It is made up of one or more tiny blood vessels that can break or leak due to a sudden spike in pressure.

Red spot can develop for anyone at any age, as the tiny blood vessels in the eyes are very fragile, can be easily broken and it presents with no other symptoms like pain or itchiness. A red spot on the or subconjunctival hemorrhage develops due to increased blood pressure and in most of the cases, an individual will not realize it until they look in a mirror.

Some Of The Common Causes Of Red Spot

Sneezing

Coughing

Vomiting

Intense physical strain

Eye injury or allergy reaction or infections

Rubbing the eye too hard

Other rare causes of subconjunctival hemorrhage are diabetes, hypertension, use of blood thinners and other medical conditions that result in bleeding.

Diabetic retinopathy can also result in a red spot on the eye, this happens when the blood vessels in eyes break due to high blood glucose levels. Blood from leaked vessels results in floaters or dark spots in the vision. People may not realize it until it affects their vision.

Other Causes Of Red Spots In The Eye

There are certain other conditions that may result in red spots on the eyes which include:

Episcleritis is an inflammatory disorder of the episcleral, the thin tissue between the clear conjunctiva and the white sclera. It is an acute condition that spurts suddenly, and in most cases, it settles on its own.

Pinguecula is a growth or thickening of the tissue that lines the outer region of the eye. It usually appears raised and yellow in colour. And is mostly caused by overexposure to UV rays light or chronic irritation. You may be not aware of the condition and notice only when it becomes inflamed, and it is termed pingueculitis. It becomes red, swollen and abruptly appears on the eye. It does not need any specific treatment. However, one can remove it surgically if it causes unpleasant symptoms or people also remove it for cosmetic reasons.

Conjunctival Hemangioma is a clump of twisted blood vessels that appear on the white of the eye. It is a congenital condition and appears a few weeks after birth. Usually, it will disappear as the child grows. In very rare cases, conjunctival hemangiomas develop in adults over the age of 

Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic blood disorder that is caused by abnormally shaped haemoglobin molecules. Sickle cell patients may at times have comma-shaped red spots or lines on the white part of their eyes. This is caused due to the blockages in small blood vessels.

Diagnosis And Treatment

The doctor can typically diagnose subconjunctival hemorrhage by looking at it. A more comprehensive eye examination may be required to determine the underlying condition that causes a red spot.

A red spot on the eye is more likely to get healed on its own within a few days or weeks. Artificial tears or cool compression may be used to ease eye irritation. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotic eye drops if it is caused due to bacterial infection.

Treatment options for diabetic retinopathy include injectable medicine to lessen swelling, laser surgery and vitrectomy to remove the blood from the eye.

You can also try some of the home remedies to relieve symptoms and which can support healing:

Applying warm compression to lessen the irritation.

Applying cold compression to reduce swelling.

Avoid contact lens during the healing period.

Use artificial tears to soothe irritation and reduce dryness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I suddenly have a red spot on my eye?

A sudden red spot on your eye, known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage, often occurs due to minor trauma, coughing, or straining, and typically resolves on its own without treatment.

How do you fix a blood spot in your eye?

To fix a blood spot in your eye, simply allow it time to heal naturally, as it will gradually fade and disappear over the course of a few days to weeks without intervention.

Is it normal to get a spot in your eye?

It's normal to occasionally get a red spot in your eye, particularly if you've experienced minor eye irritation or strain, but if you're concerned or experiencing pain, it's best to consult with an eye care professional.

Can stress cause a red spot in the eye?

Stress can sometimes lead to blood vessel dilation, resulting in a red spot in the eye, but it typically resolves once stress levels decrease and doesn't indicate a serious eye issue.

Do eye spots go away?

Eye spots, particularly subconjunctival hemorrhages, typically go away on their own without treatment within a few days to weeks, though if you have persistent symptoms or concerns, it's advisable to seek medical advice.

References:

Authors: Koushik Tripathy; Bhupendra C. Patel.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539841/

Authors: Andreas Frings, Dr.,1,* Gerd Geerling, Prof. FEBO,1 and Marc Schargus, PD Dr. MHBA, FEBO1,2

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5443986/