What To Do About A Black Eye

A black  eye occurs when there is bleeding under the skin around the eye after receiving a hard hit to the eye or to the area near the eye. The skins surface appears black or blue due to blood forming under the skin. The injury can affect or involve the eyelid, eyeball, the bones around the eye, or the eye's muscle. It can take up to 2 to 3 weeks for the bruising to clear up.

The black eye may also be red, inflamed or swollen and painful. There could be bleeding or even bruising in or on the eye itself. You also might experience problems or changes with your vision.

A black eye usually doesn't require medical treated. Some of the things that can be done to help with the healing process include applying ice to the area around the eye for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for the first two days, heat can be applied to the area around the eye after the first two days to help with pain relief. Use can use warm moist towels for 15 to 20 minutes, every hour for a total of 48 hours or two days. Using additional pillows under your head when sleeping can help with relieving pain.

Non-prescription acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also be taken to help with the swelling as well as with the pain.

Seek immediate medical attention if you begin to feel nauseous or start vomiting, if you experience dizziness, faint, confusion or have double vision or loss of vision.