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. Black eyes usually 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: Contact a GP if
you have a black eye and:
- severe pain or swelling
- a headache that does not go away
- pus coming from the area or the area feels warm
- a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher - or you feel hot and shivery
- the black eye does not go away within 3 weeks
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment if
you have a black eye and you:
- take blood-thinning medicine - such as warfarin
- have a bleeding disorder - such as haemophilia
- have blurry vision
Emergency action required: Go to an emergency department (ED) if you:
- have blood in your eye
- have changes to the shape of your pupil (the black dot at the centre of your eye)
- had a blow to the head and bruising around both eyes
- have vision problems - such as double vision or loss of vision
- see flashing lights, halos or shadows
- have pain when you look at a bright light
- cannot move your eye
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
