eyebleed

I had a bad eyebleed the other night. First I got a stabbing pain in the top of my eyelid, then when I looked in the mirror I saw the bleed.  It is starting to clear up, but I do have Leukemia and eyebleed is a cause from Gleevec.  The only thing is that I have been on Gleevec since October of 2000, and this is the first eyebleed I had.  I am also diabetic, and concerned about Retinopathy or Macular Degeneration.  Should I be concerned if it is clearing up.

[Joan M Pernoud, MD]

This sounds like a subconjunctival hemorrhage which can happen sporadically but is more common in leukemia. It looks bad but will not damage your sight and it will go away.

You should probably have a good dilated retinal exam by an Eye MD ophthalmologist at your earliest convenience and every year because of your diabetes and leukemia so that
if there is any bleeding inside the eye, it can be treated if possible to help you retain good vision.