Which of the following statements about subconjunctival hemorrhage is true?

Subconjunctival hemorrhage refers to bleeding underneath the conjunctiva, the thin, clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye. The true statement is that it can occur without any identifiable cause, which reflects the fact that in many cases, this condition may arise spontaneously. This might happen due to actions such as sneezing, coughing, or straining, which can lead to a rupture of small blood vessels.

While there are conditions that can predispose individuals to subconjunctival hemorrhage, such as hypertension or blood clotting disorders, many instances occur without any prior trauma or underlying disease. This aspect of the condition highlights that it can often be benign and self-limiting.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the nature of subconjunctival hemorrhage. It does not always cause loss of vision; this is typically not a symptom associated with the condition since the retina and vision are largely unaffected. Surgical treatment is not usually required, as the issue often resolves itself on its own within a couple of weeks without intervention. Lastly, it is not a chronic condition; instead, subconjunctival hemorrhages are usually acute, occurring suddenly and resolving fully in a short period.