Subconjunctival hemorrhage is typically managed with?

• A. Observation and supportive care
• B. Urgent referral
• C. Topical antibiotics
• D. Steroid drops

Answer: (A)

Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a self-limited bleed under the conjunctiva that is almost always painless and does not affect vision. Because there’s no infection or inflammation driving the process, the typical approach is observation and supportive care—reassuring the patient that it will resolve on its own over 1–2 weeks and that no specific treatment is usually needed. In most cases, no urgent workup is necessary unless there are red flags such as pain, vision changes, significant trauma, recurrent bleeds, or signs suggesting other eye conditions or systemic issues (e.g., anticoagulation with unusual bleeding).

Topical antibiotics aren’t routinely used unless there’s a concurrent bacterial infection, and steroid drops aren’t indicated because they don’t hasten healing and can carry risks like increased intraocular pressure. Urgent referral is reserved for the uncommon situations with potential serious injury or disease.