What should you know about bloody discharge from eye?

A small amount of blood may follow rubbing, a scratch, dryness, or a broken surface blood vessel. Sticky discharge, redness, and irritation can occur with conjunctivitis; allergic conjunctivitis more often causes itching and watery discharge. Blood may also come from the eyelid or nearby skin rather than the eyeball. The appearance alone cannot identify the cause.

Wash your hands, wipe from the inner corner outward with clean water and a fresh pad, and avoid rubbing the eye. Do not share towels, contact lenses, or eye makeup. Remove contact lenses and do not wear them again until a clinician says it is safe. Arrange a same-day assessment if the bleeding recurs, discharge continues, or you have eye pain.

Seek urgent care now for reduced or blurred vision, severe pain, marked light sensitivity, injury or chemical exposure, swelling that limits eye movement, or blood collecting inside the eye. Immediate help is also needed if you feel very unwell or cannot keep the eye open. Children, contact-lens wearers, and people with recent eye surgery should be assessed promptly.

Ask what part of the eye is bleeding, whether infection or a scratch is present, whether contact lenses should be avoided, and which symptoms should trigger emergency review.