Black Eye
A black eye (also known as an eye contusion) is a bruising of the soft tissues surrounding the eye. This usually happens when an impact or fall.
Symptoms of a Black Eye
- Bruising around the eye.
- Pain and tenderness.
- Swelling.
- It may not be possible to fully open the eye.
- Visual impairment.
Causes
Black eyes are common in contact sports such as rugby, and especially boxing. They are caused by a direct impact from a blunt object, to the eye area. The skin around the eye is very thin and so it doesn't take much to damage the underlying blood vessels, resulting in bleeding and subsequent bruising.
Other, non-sporting causes may include falls where the head hits the ground face first, or falls onto an object such as an item of furniture and fights or punches directly to the face.
Treatment
- Apply ice to the area as soon as possible.
- Repeat this every 2-3 hours.
- Rest with the head up to reduce bleeding in the area.
- Seeking medical advice is recommended to rule out any facial fractures.
- Painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended.
- Usually a black eye will heal on it's own within a week or two.
