When the white of the eye suddenly turns a bright red color, it’s generally due to a leakage of blood from one of the eye’s tiny blood vessels. Though the discoloration can be rather alarming in appearance, you can take comfort in the fact that the condition, known as a subconjunctival (sub-conJUNK-tih-val) hemorrhage, is usually not vision threatening.

The hemorrhaging can occur for a number of reasons, ranging from a simple sneeze to injury. In most cases, the redness will gradually subside on its own in a few days, but if the redness persists, if the eye becomes painful, or if the eye has been injured, don’t delay in seeking medical treatment. An optometrist or ophthalmologist can examine the eye for signs of a problem, and if one is detected, the appropriate treatment can be recommended. For more information, please contact an optometrist or ophthalmologist in your area.