Can I Make a Broken Blood Vessel In My Eye Heal Faster?

Baptist Eye Surgeons • September 22, 2023

We’ve all had irritated, bloodshot eyes at one time or another. This could be from too little sleep, allergies, or dry eyes. The redness typically goes away with eye drops, a good night’s rest, or allergy medication. But if you have a lingering red spot on your eye, you may wonder, “Can I make a broken blood vessel in my eye heal faster?”

Broken blood vessels in the eye usually heal on their own. Lubricating eye drops treat any minor discomfort you may experience during this process. One of the best ways to prevent them is by wearing eye safety equipment. Blood vessels can break for many reasons, including trauma or high blood pressure. 

How Can I Make a Broken Blood Vessel In My Eye Heal Faster?

You can’t make a broken blood vessel in your eye heal faster, but the eye usually heals on its own with time. Lubricating eye drops may help relieve any minor irritation you may feel. 

Avoid “redness relieving” or “whitening” eye drops. They cause blood vessels to constrict and can cause a rebound reddening effect.

In truth, it will just take time for blood in the eye to be reabsorbed and the red spot to go away. This may take between a few days to three weeks depending on the size of the burst blood vessel in the eye.close-up of a man’s eye with a broken blood vessel

With that said, it’s still a good idea to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. In most cases, a simple eye exam is enough for an eye doctor to properly diagnose a popped blood vessel in the eye. However, he or she will want to be sure that damage has not occurred to other structures in your eye.

Your eye doctor will ask you about your: 

  • Medical history 
  • Medications you take regularly
  • Recent activities that may be causing broken blood vessels in your eyes

Certain medical conditions can cause broken blood vessels in the eye. Treating these undiagnosed health issues will help prevent future burst blood vessels. Sometimes the cause of a broken blood vessel in your eye isn’t known. In other cases, it may not be a rare, one-time thing. Your doctor may perform tests to rule out conditions that cause bleeding or affect how your blood clots.

Preventing Popped Blood Vessels in Your Eye

Sometimes broken blood vessels in your eye can be prevented. Wear eye protection during sports or other activities that might cause eye injuries. You should also wear eye protection when exposed to flying particles like debris or dust. This includes when doing house or yard work .

What Causes Burst Blood Vessels in the Eye?

A broken blood vessel in your eye is also known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage . The conjunctiva is the thin membrane that covers the front of your eye. The sclera is the thick white outer layer of your eyeball. When tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva break, the bleeding appears as a bright red spot on the sclera.

Some of the more common causes of broken blood vessels in the eye include:close-up of a person with broken blood vessels in their eye

  • Trauma to the eye
  • Foreign object in the eye
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Straining
  • Rubbing the eye
  • Crying
  • Vomiting
  • High blood pressure
  • Medications such as aspirin or blood thinners like Coumadin

Broken blood vessels seem alarming, but they’re often harmless and often heal on their own. In fact, you probably wouldn’t know you had one until you looked in the mirror or someone pointed it out to you. Occasionally, you may experience a very mild irritation or itching of the eye.

Do you have a burst blood vessel in the eye that needs to be examined? Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

Get your eyes examined by our expert ophthalmologists book an appointment

Natural healing is often the best treatment for broken blood vessels in the eye. Use lubricating eye drops to help reduce any discomfort you may experience. Wear protective eyewear during sports, yard work, and other activities to help prevent them. They can also be caused by rubbing the eye too hard, certain medications, or straining.

Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Downtown and West Knoxville , Morristown, TN , and Sevierville, TN . Give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment .

*This blog was originally published in September of 2019. It has been updated for clarity and relevant medical information.

July 29, 2026
Diabetes affects various parts of the body, including your eyes. Keeping your blood sugar under control is not just good for your health overall, but it also helps protect your eyesight. Over time, high blood sugar can irritate the tiny blood vessels in your eyes and increase your risk of serious eye problems. Knowing how diabetes and eye health are linked can help you identify issues and take measures to protect your sight. How Does Diabetes Affect Eye Health? When blood sugar stays high, it can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the part of your eye that senses light and helps you see. Damaged blood vessels might leak fluid, swell, or change how well the retina works. Diabetic eye problems usually develop slowly, so you might not pick up on any changes in your vision until significant damage has occurred. That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams, even if their eyesight seems fine. Common Eye Conditions Linked to Diabetes People with diabetes are more likely to have certain eye problems. Finding and treating these issues early can lower the chance of losing vision permanently. 1. Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye issue that happens when high blood sugar damages the retinal blood vessels. These damaged vessels may leak fluid, which may cause blurry vision, dark spots, or changes in how you see. In advanced cases, abnormal blood vessel growth can lead to serious problems. If diabetic retinopathy worsens, new abnormal blood vessels can grow, causing serious problems, including vision loss. Getting regular eye exams can help catch these changes early, before they become severe. When fluid is retained in the macula (part of the retina which focuses on sharp central vision), this swelling can make it harder to read, recognize faces, or see fine details clearly. When detected early, treatments can help reduce swelling and protect your eyesight. 3. Cataracts People with diabetes have a higher chance of getting cataracts early. Cataracts occur when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy, which can cause blurry vision, increased sensitivity to glare, and difficulty seeing clearly. While cataracts come with age, having diabetes can make them appear sooner or progress quicker. 4. Glaucoma Diabetes can also raise your risk for glaucoma, which is a group of eye diseases that harm the optic nerve. Glaucoma usually starts without any clear symptoms, but if it is not treated, it can cause permanent vision loss. Routine regular eye exams are important for finding glaucoma early and keeping your eyes healthy Diabetes-related eye problems might not cause symptoms at first. Still, there are some warning signs you should look out for: • Blurry or distorted vision • Difficulty focusing • Dark spots, floaters, or shadows in your sight • Increased sensitivity to glare • Trouble seeing colors clearly • Sudden alterations in vision • Partial or complete loss of vision If you notice sudden vision changes, contact an eye doctor as soon as possible. The Value of Regular Eye Exams for People With Diabetes Getting a full eye exam is one of the best ways to protect your vision if you have diabetes. During the examination, your physician will study your retina, look for symptoms of diabetic eye disease, and track any changes over time. Many eye problems linked to diabetes can be treated more easily if they are found early. Regular checkups help your eye doctor give you advice that fits your own eye health and diabetes care. Protecting Your Eyes When You Have Diabetes Looking after your general health is important for keeping your eyes healthy. Here are some things you can do to protect your vision: • Keeping blood sugar levels under control • Managing blood pressure and cholesterol • Scheduling regular diabetic eye exams • Following your diabetes treatment plan • Eating a balanced diet that promotes eye health • Avoiding smoking, which increases the risk of eye complications Prioritizing Your Vision and Eye Health Diabetes and eye health are closely linked, but you can lower your risk of serious vision problems by taking action early. Getting regular eye exams, making healthy choices, and managing your diabetes all help protect your eyesight. If you have diabetes, seeing your eye doctor regularly can help catch changes early and keep your vision clear for the future. Your eyes are a key part of your health, so make caring for them a priority at every age. 
June 30, 2026
Night vision problems can make everyday activities like driving at dusk, walking in poorly lit places, or adjusting to indoor lighting harder and sometimes unsafe. Trouble seeing in low light, called nyctalopia, is not a disease itself but a sign that something else may be affecting your eyes. Learning what causes night vision problems and when to get help is important for keeping your vision healthy. What Are Night Vision Problems? Night vision problems mean it is hard to see clearly in low light or darkness. Some people notice their eyes take longer to adjust when going from bright to dim places. Others may have trouble with glare from headlights, seeing less contrast, or things just looking dimmer at night. Mild changes in night vision can happen as you get older, but if your symptoms keep getting worse or do not go away, you should pay attention to them. Common Causes of Night Vision Difficulties There are several potential causes of night vision problems. Night vision problems can have many causes, from getting older to certain eye conditions, such as lens problems, leading to blurred vision and increased sensitivity to glare. They are one of the most common causes of poor night vision, especially in older adults. 1. Cataracts Cataracts cause clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to blurred vision and increased sensitivity to glare. They are one of the most common causes of poor night vision, especially in older adults. 2. Vitamin A Deficiency Vitamin A is important for keeping your retina healthy. If you do not get enough vitamin A, your eyes may have trouble adjusting to darkness, which can lead to night blindness. 3. Glaucoma Some types of glaucoma can affect your side vision and make it harder to see differences between light and dark. As the optic nerve gets damaged, seeing in low light can become more difficult. 4. Retinitis Pigmentosa This inherited eye condition slowly affects your ability to see at night and to the sides. Early signs often include trouble seeing in the dark. 5. Diabetes-Related Eye Disease Diabetic retinopathy can harm the blood vessels in your retina, which may cause blurry vision and make it harder to see at night. 6. Aging and Pupil Changes As people get older, their pupils do not react to light changes as quickly, and the retina becomes less sensitive. This naturally makes night vision worse over time. Symptoms to Watch For Night vision problems often develop slowly. Some common signs are: Difficulty seeing in low light or darkness Trouble driving at night due to glare from headlights Longer adjustment time when moving between light and dark environments Reduced contrast or clarity in dim settings Frequent squinting or eye strain in low light If these symptoms start to affect your daily life, it is a good idea to get a full eye check-up. When to See an Eye Doctor You should see an eye doctor if you notice new night vision problems, if they are getting worse, or if you have other changes in your vision. The doctor can run tests to find out what is causing the problem and suggest the right treatment. A full eye exam might include checking your retina, testing your field of vision, and taking images to look at your eye health. Finding problems early is very important for conditions like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and retinal disorders, because early treatment can help protect your vision. Protecting Your Night Vision Not all causes of night vision loss can be prevented, but taking care of your eyes can lower your risk and help you see better. Some helpful steps are: Scheduling regular eye exams Handling chronic health conditions like diabetes Eating a diet rich in vitamin A and antioxidants Wearing proper corrective lenses if prescribed Avoiding driving with untreated vision changes Prioritizing Your Eye Health Night vision problems can be an early sign of eye disease. Since many eye problems develop slowly, having regular eye exams is one of the best ways to catch changes early and keep your vision healthy for the long term. If you have trouble seeing at night or notice any changes in your vision, making an appointment for an eye exam can help keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear in all types of light.
Understanding Eye Pressure: What It Means for Glaucoma Risk
June 1, 2026
Understanding eye pressure, or intraocular pressure (IOP), is important for protecting your vision. IOP considerably affects the development and progression...