WHAT IS BLACK EYE? 

A black eye is the appearance of bruising around the eyes. When the small blood vessels, or capillaries, beneath the skin break, blood leaks into the surrounding tissue causing the discoloration or bruising.

Sometimes they can indicate a medical emergency such as a skull fracture. Some other causes of black eye can be:

• Black eyes can appear after some surgical procedures, such as nose surgery or a facelift

• Sometimes it indicates a skull fracture

• Could be a result of a fight, sign of domestic violence or abuse

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT 

Diagnosis 

• The doctor will perform a basic examination and ask as to how the injury occurred 

• Get a vision test done 

• Get a CT scan and X-ray of face and head, if skull injury suspected

• Refer to a neurosurgeon, if diagnosis reveals skull injury

• Refer to an ENT specialist, if fractures of the face are suspected

 Associated diagnoses could as well include a broken nose , concussion , dengue fever, hemophilia A, hemophilia B, epidural hematoma, eye emergencies, head injury, skull fracture, subdural hematoma etc. 

Treatment : Black eye due to a minor injury can be treated with ice, rest, and pain medication. A follow-up visitto the Doctor may be required to determine if there are any visual changes or lingering pain. 

• For any pain and throbbing, pain relievers can be taken 

• An ice pack or a cold compress and  wearing an eye shield helps

• Avoid rubbing the eyes

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

1. Seek medical help if: 

• Its suspected that black eye may be a repercussion of a facial fracture

• If headaches persist or loss of vision or consciousness is experienced, black eye may be a symptom of a concussion or a fracture. Other symptoms for concern could be - nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lethargy, memory lapses

•  Blood on the surface of eyeball could be a sign of a ruptured eyeball or of a damaged blood vessels