Black Eye

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? A black eye is a bruise to your eye or the area around it. The eyelid, eyeball, or the bones around your eye may be involved with a black eye. The dark area around the eye is caused by bleeding under the skin. It may take two to three weeks for the bruising around your eye to go away.

What are the causes of a black eye? A black eye is caused by a hard blow to the eye or the area near the eye. You may get a black eye playing sports such as football, hockey, or basketball. Other causes may be a slingshot, BB gun, fist fight, or a work injury. Some people may get a black eye from having a tooth pulled.

What are the signs and symptoms of a black eye?

• Bleeding or bruising in or around the eye. With time, the color of the bruising will change from blackish-blue to brown, green, or yellow. The bruise may spread down to your cheek as it goes away.
  
  
• Pain.
  
  
• Redness and swelling.

How can I take care of my black eye?

• You may continue your normal activities. However, do not do heavy lifting or exercise for 48 hours after getting a black eye. This could lead to more bleeding under the skin.
  
  
• Make an ice bag. Use a bag of frozen corn or peas, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel. Gently close your eye and place the ice bag over your eye for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this every hour as long as you need it for the first 24 hours. Ice helps decrease inflammation (swelling, pain, and redness). Do not sleep with the ice pack on your eye because you can get frostbite.
  
  
• Use warm compresses on your eye after the first 24 hours. Do this by soaking a clean washcloth in warm water. Wring out the washcloth and place it gently over your eye. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as long as you need it. Warm compresses decrease swelling and help absorb blood.
  
  
• Sleep with your head raised on two or more pillows. This may help decrease eye swelling and pain.
  
  
• Take ibuprofen (eye-bu-PROH-fen) or acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen) for eye pain. This medicine may be bought over-the-counter at drug or grocery stores. Ask your caregiver if you do not know how much to take. Your caregiver may tell you to avoid taking aspirin for 24 to 48 hours after getting a black eye. Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age.

Call your caregiver if:

• Severe (very bad) headache.
  
  
• Nosebleed that will not stop.
  
  
• Questions about your black eye or medicine.

Seek care immediately if you have:

• Nausea (upset stomach) and vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Dizziness or faintness.
  
  
• Confusion (you cannot think clearly). Call if you cannot walk or move the way you normally do.
  
  
• Changes in your vision, like double vision or not seeing at all.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Link to this page

Printable Version

Email Page