Is this something to be alarmed about? i woke up yesterday with what appears to be thick, dark blood covering about 70% of the white area in my right eye. (not bloodshot) it is not painful but a little irritating. i am female, 62, and on blood pressure m

It : It seems as though you may have a subconjuctival hemorrhage which is a broken blood vessel in the eye. The vessel walls in the eye are very thin, so most hemorrhages happen spontaneously without a known cause. Occasionally, activities such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting, straining or eye rubbing can be associated with the injury. Trauma and infection can also cause hemorrhaging along with other symptoms such as pain, swelling, drainage and you should see a doctor for this. Usually, subconjunctival hemorrhages do not need any treatment and go away on their own after week or two. Just like a bruise you might see on the skin, you may notice the hemorrhage changing color as it heals. If your eye feels irritated, you can use over-the-counter artificial tears. If the hemorrhage is painful, worsening, or if you notice any change in your vision, you should contact you doctor immediately. If you think your blood pressure may be high, you should also contact your doctor. Good luck!

Probably not: Sounds like a broken blood vessel called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. It is somewhat similar to a black and blue mark and should resolve over the next 5-10 days. If it does not resolve, or if you develop significant pain in the eye or a change in your vision, you should consult your eye doctor.