A black eye appears as a result of bruising of the tissue beneath the skin around the eye. In the majority of black eye cases, the injury affects the face, not the eyes. The injury is referred to as a black eye due to the bluish-dark color of the bruising in the tissue around the eye. This occurs because the capillaries, or tiny blood vessels, have burst and leaked blood under the skin.
Black eye can also be referred to as a "shiner". The medical name is periorbital hematoma. Accumulation of fluid around the space in the eye leads to bruising, swelling and puffiness. This can make it more difficult to open the eyes. The vision can be temporarily blurred. There may be eye pain and possibly headache. Any bleeding inside the eye also requires medical attention, as it may cause eye damage that could lead to vision problems.
What are the Causes of a Black Eye?
The common causes of black eye are road traffic accident or fall from fighting. Black eye can occur when something hits a person on the face. It could be a ball, a fist, a door or some other object.
It can also occur after dental or cosmetic surgery. The bruise that may occur from this can last for several days.
Black eye seems to be less dangerous, and the discoloration that occurs from black eye is due to bruising around the eye. Sometimes, however, this can be a sign of a more serious disease.
Bruising around the two eyes, called raccoon eyes, can be a sign of skull fracture or other types of head injuries. The two eyes can swell up as a result of a blow to the nose and this is because the swelling that occurs from the nasal injury results in the accumulation of fluid in the loose tissues of the eyelids.
Other conditions that can cause black eye include surgical procedures such as facelift, jaw surgery or nose surgery.
Basal skull fracture, a certain type of head injury can lead to both swelling and blackening of the eye. This condition is usually described as "raccoon’s eyes".
Allergic reactions, bites from insect, cellulitis (skin infections around the eye), angioedema (a hereditary condition that causes swelling, usually around both eyes), and tooth infection are allergic reactions that can cause swelling around the eye. However, these conditions do not create black and blue skin around the eyes.
What are the Symptoms of a Black Eye?
The most common symptoms of black eye are pain, swelling and bruising. In the beginning, the swelling and discoloration may be mild. The eye can start a bit red and then switch to darker shades. As time goes one, the skin around the eye becomes deep violet, yellow, green or black in color. Swelling increases as the discoloration progresses.
Over the course of a few days, the area becomes lighter and the swelling is reduced. Although as a result of swelling, some blurry vision or finding it difficult to open the eye may occur, more serious vision problems are less common. Headaches can also be present because the common cause of the black eye is some sort of head injury.
Below are some signs of more serious injury:
• Double vision.
• Loss of vision.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Inability to move your eyes.
• Blood or clear fluid from the nose or the ears.
• Blood on the surface of the eye itself.
• Persistent headache.
Bruise Treatment
Treatment for a Bruise requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your bruised area. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your bruised area to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
