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Surgeon Sheds Light on Macron's Bloodshot Eye
21 Jan
Summary
- Emmanuel Macron has a subconjunctival haemorrhage, a burst blood vessel.
- This condition is usually harmless and often occurs spontaneously.
- Queen Elizabeth II and Joe Biden have had similar visible eye issues.

A prominent surgeon has offered insight into the cause of French President Emmanuel Macron's conspicuously bloodshot eye, which he recently displayed at the World Economic Forum. Macron, who was also seen wearing sunglasses indoors, had previously acknowledged suffering from a harmless eye condition.
Consultant ophthalmologist Mfazo Hove confirmed that Macron's condition, as seen in photographs, appears to be a subconjunctival haemorrhage. This occurs when a small blood vessel ruptures on the eye's surface, causing blood to spread beneath the conjunctiva. While it looks dramatic, Hove stated it is usually minor.
The condition can happen spontaneously, often noticed by individuals upon waking. Unlike an injury, spontaneous bleeds typically do not involve bruising of the eyelid or surrounding skin. High blood pressure can be a contributing factor, though often levels are normal.
This condition generally resolves on its own within seven to ten days. Macron's visible eye issue is not contagious, differentiating it from viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, which present with different symptoms like discharge and discomfort.
Similar instances have been observed in other public figures. Queen Elizabeth II was seen with a similarly bloodshot eye on multiple occasions between 2006 and 2015. In 2019, then-presidential candidate Joe Biden also appeared to have a subconjunctival haemorrhage.




