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Feb 27, 2019 · A black eye occurs when fluid collects in the tissues surrounding the eye, usually after an injury to the area. It is technically a bruise or discoloration caused by broken blood vessels under the surface of the skin.
- Overview
- Diagnosing the cause of black eye
- Conditions associated with black eye
- Treating black eye
- When to seek immediate medical treatment
- Possible complications of black eye
- Outlook
A black eye is usually the result of trauma to the face, which causes bleeding beneath the skin. Minor injuries can be treated with ice, rest, and pain medication. But see a doctor if you have any visual changes or lingering pain.
A black eye is the appearance of bruising around the eyes. When the small blood vessels, or capillaries, beneath the skin break due to trauma, blood leaks into the surrounding tissue. This is what causes the discoloration or bruising.
Most black eyes aren’t serious, but they can sometimes be an indicator of a medical emergency such as a skull fracture. Black eye is also referred to as eye bruises and bruising around the eyes.
Black eyes can appear after some surgical procedures, such as nose surgery or a facelift. A black eye may occur when blood, originating in the forehead or nose, settles by gravity under the eye. “Raccoon eyes” refers to blood that settles under the eyes and is associated with a fracture in the base of the skull.
Over the course of a few days, the black-and-blue color of bruises around the eyes fades to yellow or green. That’s because the blood under the skin eventually breaks down and is reabsorbed into the surrounding tissues.
Depending on the amount of blood that has collected within the skin, the tissues may require up to two weeks to return to normal color.
If you seek medical treatment for a black eye, your doctor will perform a basic examination. They’ll also ask how the injury occurred and inquire about related injuries. Your doctor will test your vision by shining a light into your eyes and also ask you to follow their finger with your eyes.
If a skull fracture is suspected, your doctor will order a CT scan and X-ray of your face and head. If an eye injury is suspected, you’ll be referred to an ophthalmologist. This specialist may put a dye in your eye to test for eyeball abrasions.
Conditions that are likely associated with a black eye include:
•broken nose
•concussion
•dengue fever
•hemophilia
•epidural hematoma
Black eyes due to a minor injury can be treated with ice, rest, and pain medication. A follow-up visit with your doctor will be suggested if you have any visual changes or lingering pain.
If swelling and pain accompany the bruising, apply a cold compress for 20 minutes, and then take it off for 20 minutes. When the swelling reduces, you may apply a warm compress to help promote the reabsorption of blood.
For any pain and throbbing, you may take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Avoid putting pressure on the affected area.
There are many home remedies you can use to treat a black eye. An ice pack is the best method. Sometimes people use frozen packs of raw meat. It’s best to avoid this, as the meat may contain harmful bacteria.
Black eyes are accompanied by an assortment of symptoms that could require medical attention.
A black eye may be the repercussion of a facial fracture. You need to seek immediate medical attention for any broken bones on your face or skull.
If headaches persist or if you experience a loss of vision or consciousness, your black eye may be a symptom of a concussion or a fracture. Other symptoms of a concussion include:
•nausea
•vomiting
•dizziness
Sometimes black eyes can occur without trauma affecting the eye. If you have bad nasal allergies, you can get “allergic shiners.” These shiners may cause dark circles or the appearance of a black eye because blood flow is slightly hindered. The small veins under your eye will pool with blood and enlarge because the blood is going back to your heart more slowly.
Although highly unlikely, a black eye in a child without any sign of trauma can be an early symptom of myeloid leukemia.
Most cases of a black eye can be treated at home with ice, rest, and pain relievers. A black eye can last anywhere from one to two weeks as the bruising heals and blood slowly is absorbed back into your skin.
To ensure timely recovery from a black eye, avoid doing the following:
•applying too much pressure
•putting heat on the affected area
- Cold Compress. Experts say ice can reduce swelling and pain by lowering skin temperature and nerve activity.2 Wrap an ice pack in a clean washcloth and gently apply it to your black eye for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Warm Compress. Heat therapy increases blood flow, reduces swelling, and enhances healing in vessels and skin around the black eye.3 The heat dissolves the trapped and clotted blood, enabling faster reabsorption.
- Chilled Cucumber Therapy. Cucumber has anti-inflammatory effects and no dose-dependent side effects.4 Applying chilled cucumbers in 10-minute sessions might also help reduce pain.
- Gentle Massage. When the black eye is no longer tender or raw, gentle massages on the area will improve blood circulation and promote healing. If massaging the area causes pain, avoid this remedy.
Apr 3, 2024 · A black eye is a bruise under the skin around the eye that happens when blood vessels burst. Learn how to treat it at home or when to see a doctor, and how to prevent it from happening.
- Yvette Brazier
Apr 21, 2021 · Black eyes occur when tiny blood vessels around the eye get broken. The vessels leak blood and fluid into the area under the skin, leaving behind a telltale bruise and swelling. Black eyes can be ...
Mar 22, 2019 · A “black eye” is the term used to describe the discoloration that occurs around an eye after a trauma to the eye or surrounding tissues. Technically speaking, a black eye is a bruise caused by broken blood vessels under the surface of the skin.
Oct 13, 2023 · A black eye is a bruise around the eye due to an injury to the face or head. Learn how to diagnose, treat and prevent a black eye, and when to see an ophthalmologist for possible complications.
