An expert has explained what causes a subconjunctival haemorrhage as King Charles III was pictured this week with an 'alarming' bloodshot eye.
Earlier today (July 8), members of the royal family - including Prince William and Kate Middleton - greeted President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte at the start of the three-day French state visit to the UK.
Charles, however, could be seen with a very obvious burst blood vessel in his right eye - something which has since prompted Buckingham Palace to issue a statement over.
A spokesperson for the Palace, as per GB News, confirmed the bloodshot appearance was 'due to a burst blood vessel that developed overnight, stressing it was unrelated to his ongoing cancer treatment and there was no cause for alarm'.
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Health expert Sarah Jeffries at Emergency First Aid at Work Course has since exclusively told Tyla that, after seeing the images taken during Charles' latest public appearance, it appears he is experiencing what’s medically known as a 'subconjunctival haemorrhage'.
While that may sound pretty serious, Sarah assures that this is simply 'a burst blood vessel on the surface of the eye'.
"While the redness can look quite alarming, it’s important to stress that this is generally a harmless and painless condition," she explained.
"It usually isn’t linked to any underlying serious eye disease and does not affect vision. Most people with this condition will not feel any pain or irritation."
The expert added that 'at most', it may feel a little gritty - similar to getting an eyelash in the eye.
"This type of haemorrhage occurs when a tiny blood vessel beneath the conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye) breaks and bleeds," Sarah outlined.
She also mapped out the 'common triggers' of a subconjunctival haemorrhage which include; sneezing, coughing, straining, or any sudden rise in blood pressure.
The expert warned: "Even something as minor as rubbing your eye or lifting a heavy object can, in some cases, cause King Charles' case."
Sarah confirmed that there is 'no public indication' that this is linked to the monarch's ongoing cancer treatment, and, she adds, based on the appearance alone, 'there’s no reason to suspect it signals anything serious'.
"These burst blood vessels are also more common with age, as the capillaries in the eye become more fragile over time," she explains, adding that no treatment is usually required as the redness will 'naturally fade over seven to 14 days'.
However, if the eye feels dry or irritated, then lubricating eye drops can offer relief.
With all that said, though, it's important to note that if someone experiences recurrent haemorrhages, especially alongside other symptoms like bruising or high blood pressure, they should speak to a doctor.
"For the general public, this is a useful reminder that while visible symptoms can be worrying, they aren’t always dangerous – and most eye-related red patches resolve on their own without medical intervention," Sarah concludes.
Topics: Explained, Health, King Charles III, Royal Family, UK News
Rhiannon Ingle