Stop rubbing your eye
Rinse with sterile saline if you feel irritation or debris
Use preservative-free artificial tears as needed
Apply a cold compress (clean cloth with cold water) for 10–15 minutes at a time, several times daily for the first 24–48 hours
Avoid aspirin and other blood-thinning meds unless prescribed by your clinician
Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and straining for 24–48 hours
Sleep with head slightly elevated
Avoid alcohol and smoking for 24–48 hours
Wear sunglasses outdoors if light sensitivity occurs
Check blood pressure if you have hypertension; follow your usual treatment plan
Contact a clinician urgently if any of these occur: vision changes, eye pain, significant light sensitivity, new floaters/flashes, blood in the eye after trauma, severe headache, weakness/numbness, or recurrent bleeding
Seek emergency care if the bleeding follows an injury or is accompanied by vision loss or severe pain
Schedule a medical evaluation if it does not improve within 1–2 weeks or keeps recurring