If you’ve noticed a red patch in the white of your eye, it’s usually a subconjunctival hemorrhage (a burst blood vessel) and, in most cases, it heals on its own within days to a couple of weeks. Here’s what to know and do for a safer, faster recovery. What it is and when to worry

• Most subconjunctival hemorrhages are harmless and occur from minor trauma (like rubbing your eye), a sneeze, or vigorous coughing. They often look dramatic but don’t affect vision. Healing typically happens without treatment within 1–3 weeks, depending on the size of the bleed. If you have no other symptoms, it’s usually not an emergency.
• Seek medical attention promptly if you experience any of the following: significant eye pain, vision changes (blurry vision, floaters, loss of vision), swelling around the eye, severe headache, fainting, trauma to the eye, or if you have a history of bleeding disorders or are on blood-thinning medications. These could indicate a more serious condition.

Self-care to comfort and support healing

• Do not rub or press on the eye. Rubbing can worsen the bleed or cause additional irritation.
• Use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to relieve dryness or a gritty sensation. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses until the eye heals.
• Cold compresses can help with comfort in the first 24–48 hours. Apply a clean cloth soaked in cold water or a wrapped cold pack to the closed eyelid for 5–10 minutes several times a day, then remove. After the first couple of days, if needed, you can switch to warm compresses to support clearing the blood, though this is optional and should be comfortable.
• If dryness or irritation persists, preservative-free lubricating drops are safe to use several times a day.
• Avoid redness-relieving eye drops that constrict blood vessels for extended periods, as they can cause rebound redness or other irritation.

Lifestyle and monitoring

• If you frequently experience broken vessels, review potential triggers: dehydration, eye strain from screens, allergies, high blood pressure, or blood-thinning medications. Discuss with a clinician if you have repeated occurrences.
• Protect your eyes from trauma with safety eyewear during activities that could injure them (sports, construction work, etc.).

When to see a healthcare professional

• If the redness lasts beyond 2–3 weeks, or if the bleed recurs frequently, schedule an eye exam.
• Seek urgent care for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, light sensitivity, growing swelling, or if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a bleeding/clotting disorder. These could signal a more serious issue requiring prompt evaluation.

Bottom line

• A burst blood vessel in the eye is usually harmless and resolves on its own in 1–3 weeks. You can ease discomfort with artificial tears and gentle cold or warm compresses, but there’s typically no need for prescription medications or procedures unless a clinician identifies a related problem or a more serious underlying condition.