Medicines for Black eye

What it is

A black eye is bruising of the skin and tissues around the eye, causing discolouration (often dark blue, purple, then yellow-green as it heals) and swelling around the eye. It usually results from a blow or knock to the area around the eye or to the nose or forehead, which damages small blood vessels under the skin, allowing blood to collect in the tissues; because the skin around the eye is loose, bruising and swelling can be quite marked. Sometimes both eyes can be bruised — for example after a nose injury or a knock to the forehead. In most cases, a black eye is a minor injury affecting the skin and tissues around the eye (not the eye itself), and it heals on its own over about one to two weeks, changing colour as it fades, much like any bruise, with self-care to reduce swelling and discomfort. However, because a blow near the eye can sometimes also injure the eye itself or indicate a more serious injury, it is important to be aware of warning signs that need medical attention: these include problems with vision (such as blurred or double vision, or loss of vision), severe pain in or around the eye, blood visible in the eye (over the coloured part), an inability to move the eye normally, signs of a more serious head injury (such as a headache that will not go away, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, or loss of consciousness), bleeding from the eye or nose that will not stop, or two black eyes after a head injury (which can indicate a more serious injury). If there is any concern about the eye itself or a head injury, assessment is needed. The key messages are that a simple black eye usually heals on its own over a couple of weeks with self-care, but that the eye and certain warning signs should be checked.

How it is treated

A simple black eye usually heals on its own with self-care, but the eye should be checked if there are visual symptoms or other warning signs. For a straightforward black eye affecting the skin and tissues around the eye, self-care helps it settle: applying a cold compress or ice pack (wrapped in a cloth, not directly on the skin) to the area gently in the first day or two helps reduce swelling and discomfort (being careful not to press on the eye itself); after the first couple of days, a warm compress can help the bruise heal; taking simple pain relief for discomfort; and resting and keeping the head elevated can help reduce swelling. The bruise then changes colour and fades over about one to two weeks, like any bruise. It is important, however, to be alert to warning signs that indicate the eye itself may be injured or that there may be a more serious injury, which need medical assessment: problems with vision (blurred or double vision, or loss of vision); severe pain in or around the eye; blood over the coloured part of the eye; difficulty moving the eye, or the eye not looking right; signs of a head injury (a persistent headache, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, unequal pupils, clear fluid from the nose or ears, or loss of consciousness); bleeding from the eye or from the nose that will not stop; or having two black eyes after a head injury. If any of these are present, urgent assessment is needed. It is also worth getting the eye checked if there is any concern, particularly if the blow was significant, or if symptoms are not improving as expected. Preventing eye and head injuries — for example wearing eye and head protection during relevant sports and activities — is worthwhile. The reassuring messages are that a simple black eye usually heals on its own over a couple of weeks with cold then warm compresses and pain relief, but that the eye and certain warning signs (visual problems, severe pain, blood in the eye, or signs of a head injury) should be checked, given how precious sight is and the possibility of a more serious injury.