Black eye: First aid

Updated: 2024-05-17

Overview

A black eye is bruising caused by bleeding in the tiny blood vessels in the skin surrounding the eye. Most injuries that cause a black eye aren't serious. But a black eye could be a symptom of a more serious injury, such as an internal injury to the eye or a fracture of the thin bones around the eye. You may have a skull fracture if you have double vision, bruising around both eyes or bleeding from the nose.

Treatment

To take care of a black eye:

• Apply a cold compress soon after the injury. Using gentle pressure, place a cold pack, a cloth filled with ice — or even a bag of frozen vegetables — to the area around your eye. Take care not to press on the eye itself. Apply cold as soon as possible after the injury to reduce swelling. Repeat several times a day for a day or two.
• Apply warm or hot compresses. This may be helpful after a few days when the swelling has gone down. Repeat several times a day for a day or two.

When to call your doctor

Seek medical help if you:

• See blood in the white or colored parts of the eye.
• Have vision problems, such as double vision or blurred vision.
• Have severe pain, bruising around both eyes, or bleeding in an eye or from the nose.