A subconjunctival hemorrhage (sub-con-JUNK-tih-vul HEM-er-ij) is a harmless red area on the white of the eye. It happens when tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva (a clear membrane covering the white part of the eye) leak. It isn't painful, but it can cause a little irritation of the eye. Treatment usually isn't needed.

The red area may get bigger in the first 24–48 hours. Then it fades from red to yellow and disappears as the blood is absorbed back into the body. It usually takes about 1–3 weeks for the spot to go away completely.

• Reassure your child that the red area will fade on its own.
• If your child's eye feels irritated, you can use artificial tears 4–6 times a day to soothe the eye. You can get these at a pharmacy without a prescription.
• If your child wears contact lenses, ask your health care provider if it's OK for your child to wear them while the red area heals.

Your child:

• still has the red area in the eye after 3 weeks
• gets another subconjunctival hemorrhage after this one heals
• has a change in vision

Also call your health care provider if the red area looks raised.

What causes a subconjunctival hemorrhage? The tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva can leak when a person sneezes, coughs, throws up, strains, rubs the eye, has irritation from a contact lens, or gets poked in the eye. Newborns can have it from pressure changes in their eyes during childbirth. Some medical conditions (like high blood pressure) can make someone more likely to get a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Sometimes it's not clear what causes one.

Can a subconjunctival hemorrhage cause lasting damage? No, they heal completely in a few weeks.