[2] Causes can include coughing, vomiting, heavy lifting, straining during acute constipation or the act of "bearing down" during childbirth, as these activities can increase the blood pressure in the vascular systems supplying the conjunctiva.

[2] Subconjunctival bleeding initially appears bright red underneath the transparent bulbar conjunctiva.

Subconjunctival bleeding in infants may be associated with scurvy (a vitamin C deficiency),[8] abuse or traumatic asphyxia syndrome.

[9] Diagnosis is by visual inspection, by noting the typical finding of bright red discoloration confined to the white portion (sclera) of the eye.

Artificial tears may be applied four to six times a day if the eye feels dry or scratchy.