Noticed a sudden red patch on the white part of your eye? It might look alarming, but it’s often harmless. A subconjunctival hemorrhage–commonly called a “burst blood vessel”–can develop without warning and usually doesn’t cause pain or vision changes. At Urgent Care Plus & Wellness, we provide expert evaluation to rule out more serious causes, give you peace of mind, and guide any needed care.
Serving patients across Richmond, Katy, Aliana, and neighboring West Houston suburbs, our clinic is led by Dr. Luke Afuwape, a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician with over 15 years of experience in evaluating sudden eye symptoms. Walk-ins are welcome, and most patients are seen within minutes.
I’m so happy to have an urgent care close to home. Place is nice and clean. Dr. Luke is warm and kind. He took his time asked a lot of questions. I was really feeling very sick. Turns out I have covid AND strep throat. Thank you Dr. Luke and team!
What Is a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage?
A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when a tiny blood vessel breaks just beneath the conjunctiva–the clear surface covering the white part of your eye. The blood becomes trapped between the conjunctiva and the sclera, resulting in a bright red patch that can appear without pain or trauma.
Common causes include:
- Sudden sneezing or coughing
- Eye rubbing
- Minor trauma or strain
- High blood pressure
- Certain medications (like blood thinners)
While the condition itself is usually harmless and self-resolving, it’s important to rule out underlying issues like uncontrolled hypertension or trauma.
When to See a Doctor
Even though most subconjunctival hemorrhages resolve on their own, it’s wise to seek medical attention if you:
- Notice frequent or recurrent eye bleeding
- Have pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity
- Recently sustained an eye injury
- Take blood thinners or have high blood pressure
- Experience bleeding in both eyes simultaneously
At Urgent Care Plus & Wellness, we offer same-day evaluation to determine the cause and monitor your eye health.
How We Treat Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
In most cases, a subconjunctival hemorrhage is harmless and doesn’t require medical intervention–but a proper evaluation helps ensure nothing more serious is going on. At Urgent Care Plus & Wellness, we take a comprehensive yet conservative approach to treatment and management.
Your visit may include:
- Visual inspection and eye exam to confirm the diagnosis and rule out trauma, foreign body, or signs of infection
- Blood pressure screening, as elevated blood pressure is a common underlying factor
- Review of medications, especially if you’re on blood thinners or have a clotting disorder
- Artificial tears or lubricating drops to relieve any irritation or dryness caused by the trapped blood
- Ice or cold compress recommendations during the first 24 hours if there was recent eye strain or trauma
- Warm compresses after the initial 48 hours to promote reabsorption of the blood, if needed
- Guidance on activity modification to avoid re-injury or increased eye pressure (e.g., no heavy lifting or straining)
- Monitoring instructions for when to return or follow up, especially if the redness expands or fails to improve after 10-14 days
If there’s any suspicion of underlying disease, a referral for ophthalmology or additional lab work may be provided. For patients with recurrent subconjunctival hemorrhages, we’ll work with you to uncover systemic causes like poorly controlled hypertension, clotting abnormalities, or vascular fragility.
Personalized Urgent & Wellness Care Rooted in Experience, Right Here in Richmond, TX
At Urgent Care Plus & Wellness, we believe every patient deserves fast, high-quality care that goes beyond the basics. Founded by Dr. Luke Afuwape, MD, a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician with extensive experience in neurosurgical critical care, trauma medicine, and flight stabilization, our clinic serves as a trusted medical hub for patients across Richmond, Katy, Aliana, Sugar Land, and the broader West Houston region. From pediatric urgent care and injury treatment to specialized services like immigration medical exams, hormone optimization, and mental health support, we provide walk-in access to comprehensive care in a calming, patient-first environment–no appointment required.
About UsRed Eye Without Pain? It Could Be a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
A bright red patch on the white of your eye can look alarming–but it’s often harmless. At Urgent Care Plus & Wellness, we provide fast, expert evaluation to confirm the cause and give you the reassurance you need. Contact us today or walk in for same-day care. No appointment needed–we’re open daily and ready to help.
