Broken blood vessels on the surface of the eye (subconjunctival hemorrhages) are common and usually harmless. They appear as bright red patches on the white part of the eye. They can occur suddenly and without injury to the eye. In many cases, no cause can be determined. However, certain medications and herbal supplements can increase the risk of this type of bleeding.
These include:
Blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin and aspirin
Ginseng
Ginkgo
Garlic
Ginger
St. John's wort
Cayenne
Subconjunctival hemorrhages typically cause no signs or symptoms other than eye redness. No specific treatment is needed. The redness usually disappears within 10 days.
If you have recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages or other bleeding, consult your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you take.
Adapted from: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
