I have had subconjunctival hemorrhages occasionally over the years and have come to view them as annoying, but not dangerous. My most recent experience, however, is different. I had a very bad, very bloody hemorrhage almost three months ago which has never fully gone away. It gets better and then happens again and has done so about 7-8 times. In addition, I can now feel the hemorrhage when it happens, and I never could before. I have been to both an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, and the main causes--blood pressure, diabetes, clotting disorder--have all been ruled out. Has anyone else had such an experience? I don't know what my next step should be. I have my third appointment with the ophthalmologist next week, but I don't anticipate any new treatment coming from that direction. Any help would be appreciated!
Last edited by slvm215; 11-03-2006 at 08:14 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to slvm215 For This Useful Post: DLOstransky (04-24-2012)
You said that the eye doctors have ruled out blood pressure,diabetes,and clotting problems.However,you did not include bleeding disorders caused by a variety of systemic diseases. "Bleeding disorders" is a general term for a wide range of medical problems that lead to poor blood clotting and continuous bleeding. Some of these disorders include von Willebrand's disease, which is an inherited blood disorder thought to affect between 1% and 2% of the population, severe hepatic disease, cancers such as leukemia, or bone marrow problems. Because Vitamin K is involved in the clotting process, a vitamin K deficiency can also cause bleeding. A conjunctival tumor may be a possinbily, when subconjunctival hemorrhages don't resolve within one to two weeks, or if they continue to recur in the same area.
Hopefully,your third appointment will rule out systemic diseases and their related "bleeding disorders."
Hi Have you looked into the possibility of it being caused by some type of allergie, such as hayfever? do you have sinus problems? also do you suffer from dry eye?
I know that the above problems can also contribute to a blood shot eye.
Thank you both for your suggestions. I will mention all these things on my visit to the ophthalmologist next Monday. I forgot to mention that I took it upon myself to start taking bilberry as a supplement, but that hasn't worked any miracles, although it probably hasn't caused any harm. Anyway, thanks again!
I have had the identical situation over and over during the past 8 years or so. Have seen MD's and Opthalmologists--had all the usual rule-out's, and have been told not to worry about it. I have the same thing going on now (a subconjuntival hemorrhage recurring in the same area), and am seeing a new MD tomorrow. Wish me luck. Please post any new info you might get. Your situation sounds so similar to mine.
The Following User Says Thank You to slmaz For This Useful Post: DLOstransky (04-24-2012)
Hi! Sorry you have this problem, but glad I'm not the only one The ophthalmologist I have been seeing is stumped and asked if I would mind seeing another doctor in his building next month. Fine with me. I have been using antibiotic eyedrops and taking antibiotics for my blepharitis, but neither the doctor nor I thinks that this is the cause of the hemorrhages. The hope is that my eyes will be clear enough to perhaps allow the new doctor to get a closer look. My appointment is 12/13. I'll be anxious to hear what your new doctor says. And just not worrying about it is not an option as far as I'm concerned!
Thanks for your reply. The MD I saw yesterday did more blood studies (all of which I have had before), but I live in a new area so do not mind double checking one more time. I also have an appt. with an Opthalmologist next Wed.--this is also a new one for me, so maybe he will have some new idea. Right now I feel despondent--I have this ugly looking bleed in one eye that started a week ago (but also for the 4th time in a month), and it starts to improve, then bleeds again.....I am otherwise healthy, active, have no other bleeding or bruising issues. I am glad to know that I am not the only one either.....
I can't believe how similar our symptoms are! My hemorrhages occur at about the same frequency and also in the same spot. On Thanksgiving day I had a small one, but it cleared up rather quickly. I was in a house where there were smokers, and I could feel my eyes getting scratchy, so maybe I'll ask about allergies at my next appointment, although I, like you, am very healthy and have never experienced anything like that in the past. Good luck with your upcoming appointment! I hope you find some answers.
I have been told that it could be allergy related, but also that I have severely dry eyes and that could be predisposing me to subconjunctival hemorrhages. I have been religious with lubricating eye drops the past couple of years, but it obviously has not solved the problem. I seeing a new opthalmologist tomorrow and will be sure to share any new insight I get with you.
Well, my luck ran out while I was at lunch two days ago. I could feel the hemorrhage beginning in the inner corner of my left eye. In the past, I could never feel them. This is a bad one--almost as bad as the one that started this last round back in August. There must be an answer. I'm tired of looking scary. Are you any nearer to a solution? Maybe dark glasses...
My eye had just cleared up, then when I woke up this morning, the whole left corner of my eye was completely filled with blood--this is the same place, at least the 8th or 9th time in the past 2 months, and the worst looking one yet. And yeah, I look scarey too.
I did see a new Opothalmologist Wed. He said as others have told me before, that my conjunctival tissue is very dry and "pleats or folds" rather than laying flat like it is supposed to do over the cornea. He also said my eyes show signs of chronic inflammation from allergy, so possibly it could be something mechanical. But to cover all basis, he has ordered a CT scan with contrast of both my eye orbits to rule out more serious but rare causes. I just got approval from my insurance co. so will be calling to schedule it Mon.
I guess in the meantime it will be dark glasses for me everywhere I go.
It is interesting that we have the same thing going on--I hope there is an answer for us.....I am really feeling despondent over this.
I forgot to mention, sometimes I feel them happening and sometimes not. My new doctor gave me antihistimine eye drops to try, but they obviously haven't helped.
To slvm215--Just want to update you: I am scheduled for a CT of both eye orbits (with contrast) tomorrow. It might show any abnormal masses or vascularization. I will keep you posted. The bad bleed I had last Sat. still looks awful--this is one of those bad ones that take at least 2 weeks to reabsorb....not that I can even count on that. This one keeps on recurring over and over again. Hope things are better for you.
Thanks for the update. I hope you find some answers and I appreciate you sharing your experiences. I will do the same after I see my new ophthalmologist next week. I am also experiencing one of those slow-to-disappear spots right now. I'm tired of people asking me who poked me in the eye. Not funny any more. I'll keep in touch.
My CT scan was normal except for a finding that I have chronic sinusitis which probably has no relation to my recurrent subconjuctival hemorrhages. My Opthalmologist wanted to rule out any rare abnormalities, but otherwise he is stumpted as to why these are occuring. I will be talking to my MD tomorrow to find out where we go from here........WHY is this so difficult to diagnose? I am hoping you get some insight!
I'm glad your CT scan was normal, but I know how you feel. Back to square one with no answers. I'm sorry to report that I wasn't overly impressed with my new ophthalmologist yesterday. He told me a bunch of stuff I already know. Just a couple of new ideas, although they seem pretty feeble to me: He told me to stop taking all of my vitamins since some, like vitamin A and vitamin E, can build up in your system and cause bleeding. Also, he asked me if I am a natural redhead, since redheads seem to have this problem quite often. (I'm really not, although I do have fair skin and light colored eyes that go along with that coloring.) He talked to me about my blepharitis, but didn't tell me anything I didn't already know--lid scrubs, warm compresses, etc. My eyes were very red and irritated yesterday, so he seemed focused on getting the irritation under control, and MAYBE that would cause the hemorrhages to lessen. He gave me an eyedrop I haven't tried--fluoromethodone, or at least I think that is the way it's spelled. It's an anti-inflammatory which I am to use once a day. That's about it. I am to see him in six months, but if the problem keeps occurring, which I suspect it will, I will continue to seek help elsewhere. I just felt discouraged once again after consulting a specialist who had no real answers. I guess we'll just have to keep looking!
It's funny, but my Opthalmologist also asked me if I was a natural redhead (which I am not--mine comes out of a bottle) and said the same thing about redheads having more bleeding issues in general. I am being referred to an Occuloplastic Specialist who deals with eyelids, muscles and structures on the outside of the eye because he thinks I may have something mechanical going on. Unfortunately I won't be seeing him until Feb. but I hope he may have some new insight. I will be bringing my CT scan for him to re-evaluate.
In the meantime I am supposed to continue keeping my eyes as lubricated as possible, which I am an expert at. Unfortunately I live in Arizona which is the dry eye capital of the world --humidity often is below 15%.
I cannot imagine that you are taking enough vitamin E or A to cause this....I also take a multivit, plus a small amount of vitamin E (200 U) a day.....I know that is not the problem.
I will continue to share any new insight or info I get with you. I am hoping and praying that I don't get another horrible bleed right before the holidays....I am sick of looking scarey!
I am determined to find out the cause of this.....it's been about 10 years for me off and on with this last episode being the worst. There's gotta be an answer!
Wow! I think this has been going on with me for about 10 years also, but this last one was so bad it pushed me over the edge. I'm slightly envious of the more aggressive treatment options you have been given. I'm still just getting eyedrops and being told to use lots of artificial tears. By the way, did you notice that Systane Free tears were recalled due to mold being found in some bottles this weekend? I had been meaning to tell you that I really like this brand, and now it's being questioned for safety. Go figure! Anyway, best of luck to you, and here's hoping that we both get through the holiday season hemorrhage free. Hoping for a Christmas miracle!
I'm not sure if my more aggressive treatment measures will get me anywhere---I'm so afraid they will wind up inconclusive. As for eye drops, I have been told to use Refresh brand or GenTeal. I have really liked Refresh Dry Eye Therapy.....use it all day long, then GenTeal gel at night......we'll see where that gets me. So far my eyes are really clear right now......the first time in over two months.....Best wishes to you for the holidays.....and best wishes for clear eyes! I will keep you posted with my progress.
To SLMAZ: Hope things are going well for you. I guess I can report pretty uneventful eye activity over the holidays. A couple of minor pinkish spots, but nothing as red and ugly as before. I am diligently wetting my eyes and applying warm compresses, and that seems to be helping, although I never feel completely confident that I won't get a hemorrhage. I am also holding back on doing some things that I love, like yoga. I haven't done an inverted posture in a long time. I don't actually know if that would complicate things, but I'm not taking any chances. Still looking for an answer, though, because I hate this constant uneasy feeling. Good luck with your upcoming appointment. I hope this is the one that provides some answers for you.
I have read your postings on the subconjuctival hemorrhage that you've been experiencing lately. I have felt very alone in this until I read these postings. I had my first experience with one of these about a year and a half ago. It came and went after 3 weeks. Then about 4 months ago, I had another one. In the same eye and location (far left side of my left eye). This one was smaller and went away in 2 weeks. Then, on Sunday, I had a really bad one. In the same area. My left eye is BLOOD red, I mean dark blood red, it is very gross and extremely embarrassing. So far, it hasn't gotten any better. I should also mention that I have been sick this past week so I'm sure that hasn't helped. Otherwise I am a very healthy person, take my vitamins (no oils), excercise, get 8 - 10 hours of sleep every night, eat heathly, etc. I am not overweight, I do not smoke or drink or take any drugs (not even apirin!)
I am very concerned about this. I have had my optomitrist and ophlomologist both tell me that it's nothing to worry about. But they don't have to walk around town with sunglasses on trying to avoid the weird looks. I have an appt with my MD today to have her take a look and do a blood panel. I would love to talk to one of you who also have this problem and maybe together we can figure this out.
Re: chronic subconjunctival hemorrhage 
The ophthalmologist I have been seeing is stumped and asked if I would mind seeing another doctor in his building next month. Fine with me. I have been using antibiotic eyedrops and taking antibiotics for my blepharitis, but neither the doctor nor I thinks that this is the cause of the hemorrhages. The hope is that my eyes will be clear enough to perhaps allow the new doctor to get a closer look. My appointment is 12/13. I'll be anxious to hear what your new doctor says. And just not worrying about it is not an option as far as I'm concerned!
Re: chronic subconjunctival hemorrhage 
