Black eye: First aid

Date Updated: 05/17/2024

Overview

A black eye is bruising caused by bleeding in the tiny blood vessels in the skin surrounding the eye. Most injuries that cause a black eye aren't serious. But a black eye could be a symptom of a more serious injury, such as an internal injury to the eye or a fracture of the thin bones around the eye. You may have a skull fracture if you have double vision, bruising around both eyes or bleeding from the nose.

Treatment

To take care of a black eye:

Apply a cold compress soon after the injury. Using gentle pressure, place a cold pack, a cloth filled with ice — or even a bag of frozen vegetables — to the area around your eye. Take care not to press on the eye itself. Apply cold as soon as possible after the injury to reduce swelling. Repeat several times a day for a day or two.
Apply warm or hot compresses. This may be helpful after a few days when the swelling has gone down. Repeat several times a day for a day or two.

When to call your doctor

Seek medical help if you:

See blood in the white or colored parts of the eye.
Have vision problems, such as double vision or blurred vision.
Have severe pain, bruising around both eyes, or bleeding in an eye or from the nose.