What Causes A Broken Blood Vessel In The Eye?

Diabetes

If an individual has diabetes, their risk of developing a broken blood vessel in the eye becomes considerably higher. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy, and in addition to broken blood vessels, the condition causes other problems. In Americans, diabetic retinopathy is the main cause of new blindness. With diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels throughout the retina change. Diabetes causes this when the body's elevated glucose levels lead to tissue damage to the lining of the eyes. There are a few levels of diabetic retinopathy. One is nonproliferative, which occurs when the patient's elevated glucose levels damage their blood vessels. The vessels then leak fluid or blood, which causes blurred vision when it collects in the retina. Proliferative retinopathy is more dangerous, and occurs when abnormally developed blood vessels form over the retina. Due to the abnormalities, these blood vessels may rupture and hemorrhage into the eye, potentially causing full blindness. If there's scarring, the patient's retina may detach, which will cause the cells to become starved of oxygen. If retinal detachments aren't treated immediately, the retina can die.

Keep reading to reveal more risk factors linked to broken blood vessels in the eyes now.