Medically termed subconjunctival hemorrhage, blood clots in the eyes are sometimes quite serious. The whites of the eyes are covered with a thin film known as the conjunctiva and the nerves and vessels it contains protect the eye from damage. When the eye suffers from trauma or injury, in this case being poked in the eye, the blood vessels rupture. The patches of blood formed on the surface are called blood clots. This blood is not immediately reabsorbed into the system and it will take a week or two to disappear completely. In the case of babies it is important to you consult a doctor immediately. Check whether the blood clots have occurred in both eyes or whether the clot is confined to just one eye. Also observe carefully whether the clot or clots seems to have moved around the eye. Since the child is only 19 months old, she will be unable to voice her pain beyond crying and this can be mistaken as hunger or general crankiness. Unlike an adult, the child will also be unable to communicate if she is suffering from problems with vision. If it is painless, there is no change in vision and absolutely no discharge from the eyes, you need not worry. But since the first two factors are in doubt, the child will have to be taken to her doctor. Your local health care provider may then refer her to an ophthalmologist for another opinion if she or he thinks the condition is serious. Remember to tell the doctor exactly how the child got poked, with fingers or with some blunt instrument such as a toy and the changes that have occurred since the injury. While there are several home remedies that could cause this condition in adults (provided the doctor has said that it will not require medication), using these for a young child may be near impossible and will depend on the child’s temperament. A few drops of rose water poured into the eye will soothe it. Alternatively, the eyes can be washed with rose water for a cooling effect. But consult your child’s doctor before doing so. Dip a clean piece of cotton cloth in warm water and apply it onto the closed eyelid. Alternate this warm compress with an ice compress by tying a cube of ice in a piece of cloth and applying it over the affected eye. Wash a cucumber thoroughly and refrigerate it. When sufficiently cooled, slice it thinly and apply over the closed eyelids for a soothing effect.
answered by G M