Is That True, That The Whites Of The Eye Can Sunburn?

Posted on Tue, 4 Aug 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 4 Aug 2020 Answered on

Tue, 5 Aug 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : My 14 year old grandson has had a bloodshot eye for over a week, no injury , he says, and no pus or swelling. He's on the beach a lot and in the ocean. At first I thought it could be sunburn on the whites of the eye, is that true, that the whites of the eye can sunburn? However it is only the left eye, more in the bottom corner of the eye.

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I understand your concern
I will be more comfortable if you can send a picture.

A painless and well localised reddish discolouration of the eye ball, without pain/discharge/stickiness suggests a sub-conjunctival haemorrhage.

This occurs from rupture of small blood vessels underneath conjunctiva(the transparent layer covering eye ball). This can happen from trivial traumas, violent sneezing/coughing, or even spontaneously without any trigger.

This need not be worried. Usually this will gradually disappear in 2-3 weeks time. No treatment is needed. We need to consult a doctor only if this is recurring, or if there is other bleeding manifestations like ecchymotic patches over skin, gum bleeds, nose bleeds. In such cases, we have to rule out underlying causes like low platelet count.

Sunburn can not cause this.

Hope I have answered your query
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help.
Dr Aslam

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (2 days later)

Thank you for that information. The problem seems to be resolving itself with no intervention. I will keep an "eye" on it. No pun intended!

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (0 minute later)

Thank you for that information. The problem seems to be resolving itself with no intervention. I will keep an "eye" on it. No pun intended!

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fine

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,

Happy to know that the issue is resolving.
As of now, we have nothing else to be done.

If you do not have further queries, you may close the thread and kindly rate the answer.

Wish your grandson a good health

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (23 hours later)

Hi, I just noticed that it is continuing to improve. Thank you for your advice.

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (0 minute later)

Hi, I just noticed that it is continuing to improve. Thank you for your advice.

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Good

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Hopefully that will disappear fully in few days.
If this recur, we can evaluate then. Otherwise, nothing to worry.

Hope I have answered your query
If no further clarification needed, you can close the discussion
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T