How to Treat a black eye

Black eyes, also known as shiners, are the result of subcutaneous bleeding into the tissues surrounding the eye. Because the skin beneath the eye is relatively loose, fluid tends to pool beneath the skin there, so this is where the discoloration is usually the most noticeable. Black eyes may be caused by an injury to the upper cheekbone, the nose, or the brow bone, though it usually does not involve a direct injury to the eye itself. Surgical procedures such as a rhinoplasty, or nose job, may also result in black eyes. Although the image of a T-bone steak held to a bruised eye has long been the preferred way to treat a black eye in cartoons and sitcoms, placing a piece of raw meat on an injured eye may actually introduce infection-causing bacteria. Save the steak for dinner and read on to learn how to effectively treat a black eye.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Paper towel or clean dry washcloth

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Instructions

• 1

  Assess the injury. Although black eyes are usually considered a minor injury, they could be a sign that something more serious is going on. If both eyes have blackened after a head injury or if the black eye is accompanied by dizziness, paralysis of the eye, loss of consciousness, clear fluid leaking from the nose and/or ears, blurred or obstructed vision, bleeding from the eye or blood in the eye, intense headache that does not go away, or nausea, call 911. If you have any doubt about the condition of your eye or if you suspect a fracture in the surrounding bony socket, call your doctor.

• 2

  If the black eye is the result of a simple injury and seems limited to superficial bruising around the bony eye socket, place an ice pack over the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not leave the ice pack on the eye for longer than 15 or 20 minutes at a time. Repeat hourly during the first 24 hours, if possible. This will help to reduce swelling. Be careful not to put pressure on the eyeball itself.

• 3

  Be vigilant for any signs of change in the affected eye. If you notice excessive tearing; if you have any change to the vision in that eye; or if you experience eye pain, bleeding, discharge, or any other sign of infection, call your physician.

• 4

  Unfortunately, there is no way to get rid of the bruising of a black eye. The discoloration should fade in about a week to 10 days, transitioning from purple and blue to black, green, and yellow before disappearing.