July 6, 2009

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Black Eye (cont.)

Black Eye Symptoms

  • Pain and swelling are the most common signs and symptoms of a black eye.

    • Initially, the swelling and discoloration may be mild. The eye often starts off slightly reddened, then progresses to a darker shade.

    • Ultimately, the skin around the eye becomes deep violet, yellow, green, or black in color.

    • Swelling increases as discoloration progresses.

    • Over the course of a few days, the area becomes lighter and the swelling decreases.
  • Although some blurry vision or difficulty opening the eye may occur because of the swelling, more serious visual problems are less common.
  • Headache may also be present, because the usual cause of a black eye is some sort of head injury.
  • Signs of a more serious injury are:

    • Double vision

    • Loss of sight

    • Loss of consciousness

    • Inability to move the eye

    • Blood or clear fluid from the nose or the ears

    • Blood on the surface of the eye itself

    • Persistent headache



Next: When to Seek Medical Care »

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