| name: | Black Eye |
| also known as: | Raccoon Eye |
| also see: | Eye Injury; Eye Injury First Aid; Facial Fracture |
| description: | A black eye is a contusion involving the soft tissues around the eye, including the upper eyelid and lower eyelid. A black eye does not, by definition involve the eyeball. Due to gravity, the contusion or bruising can extend onto the cheek, if not further. From an anatomic point-of-view, the important thing about a black eye is to make sure there is not an eye injury or a facial fracture. An eye injury might present with decrease vision, loss of vision, blurry vision, double vision. A facial fracture about the eye might present with cheek numbness, an isolated tender area over the fracture site(s), an eyeball that does not move in all directions but appears to be getting trapped, or an eye that is sunken. The anatomy of the face was partially selected in order to protect the eyeball from injury. That is why the eyes are set back, and are protected by the forehead eyebrow bone, the nose, and the prominence of the cheek bone. |
| signs & symptoms: | A black eye is really a dark blue bruising that over days, fades to green and yellow. The area can be tender and swollen. |
| diagnosis: | Based on signs, symptoms, history an exam. Any evidence of eye injury or facial fracture needs to be evaluated. |
| treatment: | Black eyes resolve on their own. To hasten healing, ice compresses or crushed ice in a plastic baggy as soon as possible after the injury and intermittently for several days, plus head elevation can be done. Avoid aspirin and NSAID which will make the bruising worse, but instead, use acetaminophen for pain. |
| outcome: | Bruises mostly resolve in 1-2 weeks. Women bruise worse than men and older people bruise worse the younger people. |
Last updated December 1, 2001