Eyeball Weirdness

December 18, 2016 12:49 AM

WHat is going on with my eye?

[image link]

I think it might be just a burst blood vessel, but I've never seen one that looked quite like this. It's sort of ring shaped with a yellowish-white center. It wasn't here this afternoon, and just appeared tonight - no trauma or injury. I have had some massive headaches for the last four or five days, and I've chalked it up to the incredible stress I've been under for the last month or so. YANMD, but should I be freaking out, or nah?

posted by ereshkigal45 to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

Please go to the eye doctor as an emergency. Qualifications: none, but I'm blind in one eye.
posted by mgrrl at 12:53 AM on December 18, 2016 [5 favorites]

You know who would be able to answer this question? A doctor. Please don't risk your sight with the random musings of complete internet strangers. Go now.
posted by Jubey at 1:21 AM on December 18, 2016 [2 favorites]

I'm not a doctor. My dad gets these pretty often: subconjunctival hemorrhage. Creepy looking but generally harmless, and they seem to appear out of nowhere. They can take a while to go away because the tissue on the surface of your eye isn't very absorbent.

If you're worried, or other symptoms appear, I'd stop by an urgent care clinic to have them check it out.
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 1:22 AM on December 18, 2016 [2 favorites]

It may well be nothing, but I'd treat it like an emergency. It's your eye, and you don't want to risk permanent injury.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 1:36 AM on December 18, 2016

Massive headaches + scary things happening in your eyes = bad enough that it is a potential emergency and should be treated as such. Yes, you should be worried.
posted by brainmouse at 2:29 AM on December 18, 2016 [8 favorites]

I would see a doctor. I believe headaches and subjunctive hemorrhage can both be symptoms of high blood pressure, which can be serious on its own or may itself be a symptom of something else. Should you freak out? No. But you should see a doctor. (IANAD.)
posted by teatime at 2:30 AM on December 18, 2016

Please go to the doctor.

My mum went to her GP with something similarly-benign-looking in one eye, expecting to be told it was nothing to worry about. Instead the doctor sent her to the hospital immediately - not the same day, but RIGHT NOW.
posted by A Robot Ninja at 4:59 AM on December 18, 2016

Nthing going to the eye doctor (or, if one can't see you, an emergency room with an opthamology department) immediately. This may be nothing & you may be in for a wait, but I just dealt with my Mom having an eye emergency, & it was *critical* that we went when we did. Also, the headache could be stress or it could be an important symptom. Please make sure you mention it & good luck!
posted by katemcd at 5:53 AM on December 18, 2016

I vote don't freak out, but do go to urgent care ASAP. Urgent care will likely be a far shorter wait (and cheaper) than the ER, and they'll send you over if it seems necessary. Ideally, I'd go to an urgent care that's attached to a hospital.

Please let us know how everything turns out!
posted by insectosaurus at 8:04 AM on December 18, 2016

My dear friend had brain surgery last week to remove a tumor that was diagnosed after vision weirdness and headaches. Every random stranger on the internet is telling you to go to the doctor. GO.
posted by scratch at 9:19 AM on December 18, 2016

That on its own is maybe nothing, but that PLUS a bad headache? PLEASE go to a doctor ASAP. Just searching for the terms "bad headache" + "bloodshot eye" brings up some worrisome possibilities. GO!
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 10:10 AM on December 18, 2016

There are several parts of the body you don't f' around with medically speaking, and eyes are on that list. It may very well be nothing, but until you get yer butt (and eyeballs) to see medical attention you have no way of knowing. It's the only way to put your mind at rest - youre obviously concerned enough to ask about it here. I truly hope by now you're on your way if you haven't gone to have it checked out already. If not - move it!
posted by cgg at 11:44 AM on December 18, 2016