Black Eye - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What Is Black Eye?

The eye is one of the important parts of the body that helps us see. The skin surrounding the eye is usually normal in color, but sometimes, there can be some discoloration, which can be physiological or pathological. One such condition is black eye, due to bruising under the skin surrounding the eye.

Another term used to describe this condition is shiner, which is medically termed a periorbital hematoma. It is also called raccoon eyes. In this situation, the blood can be seen settling under the eyes and is mostly in conjunction with a skull base fracture.

What Causes Black Eyes?

The common causes of black eyes include:

• Commonly caused by head or face injury, leading to bleeding in skin tissues due to broken blood vessels.

• It can also occur after nose or facelift surgeries.

• Discoloration changes from black to yellow or green as blood breaks down and gets reabsorbed.

• Healing time varies based on blood accumulation, often taking about two weeks.

• Unexplained black eyes can be a sign of domestic violence or abuse.

Black Eye Without Injury:

• Unusual but possible.

• It may result from increased blood pressure causing a burst capillary.

Black Eye Overnight:

• Waking up with a sudden black eye usually means an accidental eye or facial injury the day before.

• If no injury is remembered and the eye turns black overnight, consult a doctor, which could indicate a more serious issue.

What Are the Signs of a Black Eye?

Following an eye injury, it is essential to differentiate between symptoms of a black eye and those indicating a potentially severe head injury.

Black eye symptoms may encompass:

• Pain surrounding the eye.

• Gradually increasing swelling around the eye, potentially impeding eye-opening.

• Discoloration of skin to a bruise around the eye, transitioning from red to darker shades like purple, yellow, green, or black.

• Blurred vision.

Signs of a more critical head injury necessitating medical attention include:

• Double vision.

• Blood or fluid discharge from the ears or nose.

• Vision loss.

• Fainting or loss of consciousness.

• Presence of blood on the surface of the eyeball.

• Intense or persistent headache.

• Inability to move the eye.

How Black Eyes Be Diagnosed?

Initially, upon visiting the physician, he or she will question the basic details, followed by the details of the injury, such as how and when it occurred. Then, the vision will be tested using light and asked to follow the doctor’s finger with the eyes.

If the physician suspects a fracture of the skull, they need to undergo a CT (computed tomography) scan and X-ray of the head and face. The patient will be asked to consult an eye specialist or ophthalmologist for a suspected eye injury.

The eye specialist will put dye in the eyes to test for any abrasion in the eyeballs. For head injuries, a referral to a neurosurgeon will be made, and for facial fractures, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists will be asked to check for it.

What Are the Conditions Associated With Black Eyes?

Yes, many conditions suspected to be associated with black eyes are mentioned below:

• Concussion: Head injury causing temporary cognitive issues.

• Injury to the Nose: Damage to the nose, often leading to bleeding.

• Dengue Fever: Mosquito-borne viral illness with high fever.

• Emergency Conditions of the Eyes: Urgent eye problems requiring immediate attention.

• Hemophilia: Genetic blood disorder causing prolonged bleeding.

• Factor II, V, VII, X Deficiency: Rare blood clotting factor disorders.

• Fracture of the Skull: Cranial bones break, potentially harming the brain.

• Injury to the Head: Various head injuries with varying severity.

• Subdural Hematoma: Blood collection under the brain's outer covering.

• Von Willebrand Disease: A bleeding disorder due to Von Willebrand factor deficiency.

It is important to check for the above-mentioned conditions so that a proper diagnosis can be made and better treatment can be done.

How to Get Rid of a Black Eye?

• Conservative Management: Typically, black eye management is conservative, especially for minor injuries.

• Minor Cases: To ease discomfort in minor cases, use ice, rest, and pain medication. Purchasing flexible ice packs can also be beneficial.

• Continuous Pain or Vision Changes: Seek follow-up if experiencing ongoing pain or vision changes.

• Swelling and Bruising: Initially, apply a cold compress for 20 minutes, then switch to a warm compress when swelling decreases to aid blood reabsorption.

• Pain Management: Consider Ibuprofen or Paracetamol for pain and throbbing, but avoid applying pressure.

• Home Remedies: Home remedies like Arnica, ice packs, and vitamins C and K may help, but scientific evidence is limited.

• Children and Toddlers: For young children, apply a cold compress for 15 minutes multiple times a day and encourage using an eye shield to prevent eye closure due to swelling.

When Should an Individual Seek Immediate Medical Attention?

A person with black skin needs immediate medical attention if they show the following symptoms :

• Black eyes.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Unusual tiredness.

• Dizziness.

• Memory problems.

• Blood or clear fluid from the nose or ear.

Contact a doctor or reach out to a healthcare provider immediately if experiencing these symptoms along with black eyes. Inform them about the symptoms and the presence of black eyes. Seeking medical assistance is important, as these signs could indicate a more significant underlying issue that requires timely attention and evaluation.

Can a Black Eye Be Prevented?

Some measures may lower the risk of experiencing a black eye in certain scenarios. Suggestions include:

• Utilizing protective goggles when engaging in gardening, woodworking, or metalworking.

• Wearing appropriate eye protection during sports such as martial arts, boxing, and other contact sports.

• Ensuring that rugs and carpets within the home are firmly secured to prevent tripping.

• Removing clutter and potential trip hazards from both indoor and outdoor areas.

• Maintaining adequate lighting in and around the home and garden.

What Are the Possible Complications of a Black Eye?

Occasionally, black eyes can develop without direct eye trauma. For instance, individuals with severe nasal allergies may experience "allergic shiners," leading to dark circles or a black-eye-like appearance due to restricted blood flow. This restriction causes small veins beneath the eye to accumulate and expand as blood returns to the heart more sluggishly. While rare, the occurrence of a black eye in a child lacking any evident trauma could serve as an early indication of myeloid leukemia.

Conclusion

Black eyes are often the result of minor injuries that lead to bruising around the eye area. While they are typically not a cause for major concern and can be managed with home remedies and pain relief, it is crucial to monitor any unexplained or sudden black eye development, as it may indicate underlying medical issues, including trauma or domestic violence. Seeking medical evaluation in such cases is important to ensure the individual's well-being and rule out any serious concerns. With proper care and attention, most black eyes will heal over time, gradually returning to normal appearance.