The condition of black eye is a result of bruises around the eyes. This is called black eye as the skin around eyes turn into bluish color and appear dark. This occurs as a result of tiny blood vessel breakage in the skin. Black eye condition is often also referred to as shiner. Medically, it is called periorbital hematoma.
Understanding the main cause of black eye
Black eye happens due to blunt trauma which may be due to hitting by a ball or using fist or in the door or any other objects. This results in bleeding blood vessels in the skin regions around the eyelid. There may also be cases where black eye occurs as a result of dental surgery or cosmetic surgery or some kind of internal fracture occurring within the skull.
Common symptoms of black eye
Swelling of eyes is the most common symptom of black eyes. And the skin around eyes tend to change in its color. These are some of the notable symptoms. To start with, the skin gets bruised. Eventually it will turn into red color and finally turn into dark blue or dark violet or in fact black in color. Black eye may result in vision problems. Generally, this condition of blue eye subsides within a week or two and does not demand any kind of medications or medical procedures.
There are a few other conditions that are associated with the case of black eye which are dengue fever, nose concussion, skull fracture, subdural hematoma, emergency conditions in eyes, factor 2 deficiency, factor 5 deficiency, etc.
Should you visit a doctor for black eye condition?
Coming on to the need for visiting a doctor to rectify black eye condition, the condition does not get healed all by itself within few weeks failing which you may seek the doctor. If you notice any bleeding from nose or ears following black eye condition, you should understand that you are on an emergency and give immediate attention. Or when there is blood oozing out of the eye, or you develop two black eyes, or you experience vomiting and seizures, or there is difficulty in rotating your eyes, when your vision gets doubled and you feel severe headache continuously for about two days.
How to diagnose black eye?
To detect black eye, the doctor would perform a basic examination procedure to understand the cause of injury. This will be followed by vision testing. In case there is a fracture in the skull or if the doctor suspects such condition, he may suggest a CT scan or X-ray done on the head or face, say sources from American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Riveting treatment methods
For treating black eye condition, you may use ice or any other pain medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. An ideal herbal remedy is Arnica. This helps in subsiding swelling and pain as well. Try out a cold or wawarm compress for treating black eye. As per sources from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you may apply ice for a period of 15 minutes per hour on the day of experiencing black eye for the first time. Do this for about 5 times to get the pain swelling. As swelling goes off, give it a warm compress so that there is reabsorption of blood. One more way of giving the best treatment to black eye is as follows: mix about 5 tbsp of Vaseline in melted state. Mix this with cayenne pepper and make use of it as an ointment for natural healing.
A few tips to get recovered from black eye condition
For getting rid of the black eye condition, one should stop performing all kinds of activities that will worsen the condition and the affected area. Have your head positions higher than your body so that your eyes feel relaxed during sleep.
How to prevent black eye?
Be cautious when you are in a slippery area as you may be prone to injuries. Always have your cables and wires in a properly organized manner so that it does not hinder while you walk. Keep the floors clean without any stains or spills.
Keep your eyes protected when you head out. For this, you may use goggles. There are also water protective eye gear or goggles. When you are involved in activities like sports or gardening or motorcycling, make sure to be very protected.