A black eye is bruising and swelling around your eye. It is usually caused by a blow to the area, such as a punch or fall. It should get better within 2 to 3 weeks.
How to treat a black eye
Do
-
hold an ice pack to the area around your eye
-
take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain
-
after the first 2 days, put a warm heat pack or cloth to the area regularly during the day
Don't
-
do not take aspirin, unless prescribed by a GP - this can make the bruising worse
-
do not press or rub the area around your eye
-
do not put ice directly on your skin
How to ice a black eye
Hold an icepack to the area around your eye for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Repeat regularly during the first 1 to 2 days. If you do not have an icepack, use a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if
you have a black eye and:
- you have severe pain or swelling
- you have a headache that does not go away, or blurry vision
- the area around your eye is warm or leaking pus
- your temperature is above 38 degrees Celsius, or you feel hot and shivery
- it does not go away within 3 weeks
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent appointment if
you have a black eye and:
- you're taking blood-thinning medication (such as warfarin)
- you have a bleeding disorder (such as haemophilia)
Emergency action required: Go to an emergency department (ED) if:
- there's blood in your eye
- the shape of your pupil (the black dot at the centre of your eye) has changed
- you had a blow to the head and have bruising around both eyes
- you have problems with your vision, such as double vision, loss of vision, you see flashing lights, halos or shadows
- you have pain when you look at a bright light
- you cannot move your eye
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
