| A
black eye is often a minor injury, but it can also appear
when there is significant eye injury or head trauma. It
is the result of bleeding underneath the skin around the
eye following a hard blow to the eye or the area near the
eye.
SIGNS
Bruise, sometimes accompanied by red, painful swelling
of the eye or area near the eye. Bleeding or bruising
in the eye, vision changes.
FIRST
AID
Apply
cold compresses intermittently: 10 to 15 minutes on, 10
to 15 minutes off. If there is no ice available, a cold
soda will do to start. If you use ice, make sure it is
covered with a towel to protect the delicate skin on the
eyelid.
Use cold compresses for 24 to 48 hours, then switch to
applying warm compresses intermittently. This will help
the body reabsorb the leakage of blood and may help reduce
discoloration.
If you are in pain, take acetaminophen (not aspirin or
ibuprofen, which can increase bleeding).
Prop the head with an extra pillow at night, and sleep
on the uninjured side of face (pressure can increase swelling).
Wear dark glasses temporarily too protect your eyes from
bright light and sunlight.
SEEK
CARE IF:
Call
immediately if any of the following symptoms are noted:
increased redness, drainage from the eye, persistent eye
pain, any changes in vision, any visible abnormality of
the eyeball, visible bleeding on the white part (sclera)
of the eye, especially near the cornea.
|
