Definition
An eye contusion (black eye) is when blood vessels around the eye are damaged or broken after an injury.
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Risk Factors
Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:
- Playing sports such as basketball, football, hockey, and boxing
- Certain jobs with a higher risk of eye injuries, such as manufacturing and construction
- Being around violence
- Taking part in fights
- Not wearing a seat belt
Symptoms
The main symptom is a black and blue or purple mark around the eye. There may also be redness, swelling, and tenderness or pain. The skin may turn yellow when it begins to heal.
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. You will also be asked how the injury happened. The eye will be examined. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
More tests may be done to look for other problems from the injury, such as trouble seeing or a fracture.
Treatment
Most black eyes heal on their own in about 2 weeks. The goal of treatment is to ease pain and swelling. Choices are:
- Applying ice on the eye after the injury
- Applying a warm pack on the eye after swelling has gone down
- Taking pain relievers, such as acetaminophen
Prevention
To lower the risk of a black eye:
- Wear eye protection when playing sports or doing work that may result in eye injury.
- Avoid situations that may involve fighting.
- Wear a seat belt when you are in a motor vehicle.
RESOURCES
Eye Smart—American Academy of Opthalmology http://www.eyesmart.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline http://www.ndvh.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Ophthalmological Society http://www.eyesite.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
References
Approach to eye trauma—emergency management. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/approach-to-eye-trauma-emergency-management. Accessed October 21, 2020.
Eye injuries. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid%5Fsafe/emergencies/eye%5Finjury.html. Accessed October 21, 2020.
Romaniuk VM. Ocular trauma and other catastrophes. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2013 May;31(2):399-411.
What is a black eye? Eye Smart—American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Available at: http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/black-eye.cfm. Accessed October 21, 2020.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
- Review Date: 09/2020
- Update Date: 10/21/2020