Why do eye spills occur in children?

Ocular effusion is a condition that in medicine is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

It is common for it to occur in children and although due to its characteristics it can be worrying, in most cases it does not present complications. Here we tell you why they happen and how you can take care of the little ones.

An eye effusion occurs when reddish spots of blood appear inside the eye. This is a consequence of the rupture of the blood vessels found in the ocular conjunctiva.

The ocular conjunctiva is an elastic membrane that covers the “white part” of the eye (sclera). It is important that this transparent “fabric” is in good condition since it protects and lubricates the corneas.

When the vessels or capillaries break, the blood is retained in the conjunctiva and causes the popular “stains”.

Causes of eye effusion in children

Unlike other health conditions, eye effusions are usually asymptomatic. In children, it is common for them to occur due to blows or accidents, although they can also be due to:

• Increased ocular blood pressure.
• Taking medications whose main or secondary effects involve altering blood coagulation.
• Diabetes.
• Sneeze or cough forcefully.
• Roughly rubbing your eyes.
• Viral infections.
• Suffer hematological diseases.

Eye effusion is also very common in newborns, probably as a result of pressure changes throughout the baby’s body during delivery.

How to treat an eye spill

Experts explain that there is no standardized treatment for this condition. Shortly after its appearance, the trapped blood fluid will be reabsorbed.

Although the size of the effusion will determine how long it lasts, they usually go away in one to two weeks. During this recovery process, it is advised not to rub, scratch, or put pressure on the eye.

You can see a doctor evaluate your child’s eye effusion. The professional may recommend:

• Avoid activities that require the eye, such as spending a lot of time in front of screens or reading.
• Eye drops.
• Repose.
• Raise the head of the child’s bed so that it reaches an inclination of approximately 40°. This can stimulate the reabsorption of blood in the eye by the body.
• Wear a protective patch.

It is important not to resort to self-medication or home remedies, as they can worsen the condition and require medical intervention. Finally, if external bleeding occurs, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible.

Since eye spills in children often occur from injuries or bumps, taking care of home safety is a good way to prevent them. Keep in mind the following tips:

• Buy protective glasses for when they do physical activities or sports.
• Avoid easy access to tools or sharp objects.
• Respect the age that the toys detail so that they are consistent with their years and there is no risk of injury.

Eye Irritation

It is common for eye spill to be confused with red-eye, a fairly common vision condition characterized by irritation caused by air, fatigue, dust, allergic reactions, or excessive sun exposure.

• home remedies for red eyes

In this case, children should follow the following precautions:

• Apply for a few minutes cotton balls soaked with an infusion of chamomile, fennel, or green tea before bed.
• Apply thin, cold slices of cucumbers or potato on closed eyelids. Remove as soon as they lose their temperature, and rinse the face with warm water.
• Keep your eyes closed for a few minutes to let them rest. You can also move them up and down while they remain closed.
• Lie on your back and apply a cold compress for five minutes. Then place a warm compress for another five minutes. You can also use a gel mask or a damp cloth.
• If there is dryness, usually caused by air conditioning or very dry, artificial tears can be used to moisturize the eyes.
• Use cold compress carrot grated to relieve inflammation and redness. You can also soak a cloth with its juice so as not to apply it directly to the eyes.

It is important to go to the doctor if in addition to redness you feel itching, pain, problems seeing, or secretions in the eyes since in some cases the redness of the eyes can be due to an infection, such as conjunctivitis.

Sources consulted: US National Library of Medicine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.