A black eye is bruising caused by bleeding in the tiny blood vessels in the skin surrounding the eye. Most injuries that cause a black eye aren't serious. But a black eye could be a symptom of a more serious injury, such as an internal injury to the eye or a fracture of the thin bones around the eye. You may have a skull fracture if you have double vision, bruising around both eyes or bleeding from the nose.
To take care of a black eye:
- Apply a cold compress soon after the injury. Using gentle pressure, place a cold pack, a cloth filled with ice — or even a bag of frozen vegetables — to the area around your eye. Take care not to press on the eye itself. Apply cold as soon as possible after the injury to reduce swelling. Repeat several times a day for a day or two.
- Apply warm or hot compresses. This may be helpful after a few days when the swelling has gone down. Repeat several times a day for a day or two.
Black eye: First aid
Seek medical help if you:
- See blood in the white or colored parts of the eye.
- Have vision problems, such as double vision or blurred vision.
- Have severe pain, bruising around both eyes, or bleeding in an eye or from the nose.
Show References
- Eye contusions and lacerations. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/eye-trauma/eye-contusions-and-lacerations. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- What is a black eye? American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/black-eye. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Buttaravoli P, et al., eds. Periorbital ecchymosis (black eye). In: Minor Emergencies. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 8, 2024.
- Chodnicki KD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. July 29, 2022.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-black-eye/basics/art-20056675