Fact Checked
Overview Of A Black Eye
- A black eye is a contusion that surrounds the eye. When an item strikes the eye, the pressure of the impact damages delicate blood vessels.
- Blood gathers underneath the skin, and causes black or blue bruising around the eye sockets and eyelids.
- Because the skin around the eye is fairly thin, the blue or black color of a bruised eye might appear blacker and more intense than bruises on other parts of the body.
- The cause of the injury is generally a blunt item — a hammer, a baseball, a rock or a piece of wood — and the most common area of injury is the home.
Prevention Of A Black Eye
Almost all eye injuries can be avoided. To reduce your possibility of eye injuries:
- Use proper safety eye wear at work. Research has shown that face shields, safety glasses, and other defensive eye wear can decrease the threat of on-the-job eye injuries.
- If you are a sports person, ask a qualified optometrist or optician for help in picking safety glasses that is suitable for your sport. Basketball and baseball cause the largest amount of eye injuries. When a basketball or baseball hits the eye, there is a possibility of a more severe trauma, including ruptures to the eye socket.
- Always wear your seat belt when you are in the car. Seat belts help to shield your eyes, upper body and facial bones from hitting the dashboard.
Treatment Of A Black Eye
- If you have a black eye, place cold ice packs (such as a cool, moist cloth) to the wounded eye for at least 20 minutes straight after your injury to help decrease discomfort, inflammation and bruising.