“Is it a blood clot or pink eye?”
My father's left eye is bloodshot red. It came on suddenly. He said he woke up and it was red. I read somewhere that pink eye can be associated with the coronavirus.
Thank you in advance.
Adrienne Perry
Thank you in advance.
Adrienne Perry
Male | 81 years old
Complaint duration: 8 days
Medications: Visine
18 Answers
Red eyes can be due to many things, some including: conjunctivitis, allergies, subconjunctival hemorrhages, and/or dry eye. To determine the proper etiology it is important to have a complete ophthalmologic evaluation.
I recommend evaluation by an eye care professional for appropriate diagnosis. There are multiple etiologies for a red eye, such as bacterial or viral conjunctivitis (pink eye) vs. a subconjunctival hemorrhage (bruising of the external eye tissue). Most of the aforementioned etiologies are not threatening in and of themselves, but can point to other underlying conditions that should be addressed. Yes, "pink eye," or conjunctivitis can be caused by the coronavirus; however there are many other possible etiologies of a red eye. Again, an eye care professional can help with the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
If your father is on a blood thinning medication, like aspirin it is more common to have subconjunctival hemorrhage. a subconjunctival hemorrhage will clear in 7-14 days.
Most likely it is a conjunctiva hemorrhage and visine can worsen it. It is like a bruise and should resolve in 10 to 14 days. It can be common with many different behaviors. If there is a change in vision or associated pain he should see an eye care provider.
Many times people wake up and one eye looks blood red. This is typically a broken blood vessel and it resolves on its own. If both eyes are red and there is a discharge it may be conjunctivitis.
Sudden painless redness like this is a subconjunctival hemorrhage. It occurs commonly in the elderly especially if there on an aspirin or any blood thinner. It can occur from a cough, straining with a bowel movement, rubbing the eye, spontaneously, etc. It is not pathologic 99.9% of the time. It will clear and goes away after about 3 weeks.
George D. Fivgas
George D. Fivgas
I would recommend getting an opinion from a local eye doctor, many are doing telemedicine now and can look at the eye over video conferencing. In general, conjunctivitis is rarely associated with coronavirus (~6% of cases or less).
Frank Cao
Frank Cao
If there are no symptoms such as discharge, it is likely a broken blood vessel like a bruise. Likely from rubbing his eye while asleep. If he has discharge mucous production with Itching or with pain, then it's more likely to be an infection or pink eye.
Dr. LMJ
Dr. LMJ
An image would be helpful but with no other symptoms it’s most likely a sub-conjunctival hemorrhage. You can Google it for examples. Usually looks more like a bright red pool of blood than a pink eye. Such hemorrhages are not concerning unless there has been an injury or if the pt has a blood clotting problem or is on blood thinners in which case there may be bruising in other places. It should resolve spontaneously but can take more than a week.
Coronavirus is one of many causes of pinkeye, or conjunctivitis. However your father may have a subconjunctival hemorrhage, or blood clot. He should do a telehealth exam with his eye doctor. SO
Hi,
Sounds more like “subconjunctival hemorrhage” than “conjunctivitis,” but “a picture is worth a thousand words;” google each term to see which it more resembles. 1%-2% of COVID-19 patients have been reported to have an associated conjunctivitis, but not in isolation; it has been observed in patients with other manifestations of COVID-19.
Dr. K
Sounds more like “subconjunctival hemorrhage” than “conjunctivitis,” but “a picture is worth a thousand words;” google each term to see which it more resembles. 1%-2% of COVID-19 patients have been reported to have an associated conjunctivitis, but not in isolation; it has been observed in patients with other manifestations of COVID-19.
Dr. K
I am sure it is a sub conjunctival hemorrhage. It is benign and not a threat to vision. Will resolve over 3-4 weeks. They are generally not associated with any underlying disease. CV would not have subconjunctival hemorrhage as an isolated finding
It sounds like a blood clot . Awaking or sudden darkening red of eye is called a subcontunctival hemmorhage. It happens from sneezing, yawning, or straining to lift something heavy , or straining to move your bowels. More common with people taking blood thinners. Pink eye is not as red and has discharge. Visine won’t help. You can use cool compresses and artificial tears.
Conjunctivitis, or what people refer to as “pink eye,” can be related to Coronavirus. Things to ask him would be if he’s having any pain, discharge, sensitivity to light, and whether he recalls having any trauma to the eye. Red eye can be caused by many, many things, however, a subconjunctival hemorrhage, is a small broken blood vessel that’s can be otherwise fairly asymptomatic. These are fairly common and typically resolve in 1-2 weeks without issue. I would communicate with your fathers primary ophthalmologist to see if perhaps you could do a telehealth visit to get some more clarity. Of course if he is having fever, shortness of breath, or any other Coronavirus related symptoms, he should call in to a local ER ASAP.
All the best!
Neeti M. Alapati, M.D.
All the best!
Neeti M. Alapati, M.D.
You are describing something more like a sub conjunctival hemorrhage. This type of condition often appears and somebody with high blood pressure, who is on blood thinners, or rubs her eyes a lot as with allergy.
There are many reasons for a red eye that include allergy to Visine, eye surface disease, corneal abrasion, iritis (inflammation in the eye), bleed on eye surface, bacterial infection, fungal infection, or viral infection. Typically, adjusting drops will resolve the redness, but one must see an eye care professional to first get a diagnosis. COVID-19 can cause a red eye, but is highly unlikely without any other COVID-19 related symptoms.
Alan J. Franklin MD, PhD
Alan J. Franklin MD, PhD
A conjunctival hemorrhage usually appears quickly, is very deep red, and does not hurt at all. Pink eye comes on over a few days and usually has irritation, some redness, and a clear discharge.
Dr. Brosman
Dr. Brosman
The pink eye seen in patients infected with Covid-19 has a distinctive red lid margins with some lid swellings. If you think that your father has high risks for Covid-19 fatality you should request a test on an emergency basis for your father. Those with the eye signs have severe infections and usually need hospitalization.
