Black eye

Black eye
Black eye
Classification and external resources

Illustration of a "black eye".
ICD-10 S00.1
ICD-9 921.0

A black eye (Ecchymosis), or (periorbital hematoma) or 'shiner', is bruising around the eye commonly due to an injury to the face rather than eye injury. The name is given due to the color of bruising. The so-called black eye is caused by bleeding beneath the skin and around the eye. Sometimes a black eye indicates a more extensive injury, even a skull fracture, particularly if the area around both eyes is bruised (raccoon eyes) or if there has been a head injury.

Although most black eye injuries aren't serious, bleeding within the eye, called a hyphema, is serious and can reduce vision and damage the cornea. In some cases, abnormally high pressure inside the eyeball (ocular hypertension) also can result.

Presentation and prognosis

Close-up of a black eye after 3 days of formation. The blood has been absorbed, but the iron-laden pigments in the blood remain in the tissue leaving a discoloration that may persist for several weeks or months.

Most black eye injuries are minor and will heal themselves in about one week. Trauma near the eyebrow or places not directly on the eye may make the eyelid go black.

The dramatic appearance (discoloration purple black and blue and swelling) does not necessarily indicate a serious injury. The fatty tissue along with the lack of muscle around the eye socket allows a potential space for blood accumulation with minor injury. As this blood is reabsorbed, various pigments are released similar to a bruise, lending itself to the extreme outward appearance. Unless there is actual trauma to the eye itself, medical attention is generally not needed.

Associated conditions

Eye injury and head trauma may also coincide with a black eye. Some common signs of a more serious injury may include:

  • Double vision
  • Loss of sight and or fuzzy vision could occur
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Inability to move the eye or large swelling around the eye such as a hematoma
  • Blood or clear fluid from the nose or the ears
  • Blood on the surface of the eye itself or cuts on the eye itself
  • Persistent headache

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • black eye — n if you have a black eye, you have a dark area around your eye because you have been hit ▪ Jack looked like someone had given him a black eye …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • black eye — black eyes N COUNT: usu sing If someone has a black eye, they have a dark coloured bruise around their eye. He punched her in the face at least once giving her a black eye …   English dictionary

  • black eye — discoloration around the eye from injury c.1600. Figurative sense of injury to pride, rebuff is by 1744; that of bad reputation is from 1880s. In reference to dark eyes, often as a mark of beauty, from 1660s. Black eyed, of peas, attested from… …   Etymology dictionary

  • black eye — n. 1. an eye with a very dark iris 2. a discoloration of the skin or flesh surrounding an eye, resulting from a sharp blow or contusion ☆ 3. Informal shame or dishonor, or a cause or source of this …   English World dictionary

  • black eye — noun count 1. ) a dark mark that forms on the skin around your eye as a result of being hit 2. ) AMERICAN MAINLY JOURNALISM something that affects the reputation of a person or organization in a negative way …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • black eye — black′ eye′ n. 1) discoloration of the skin around the eye, resulting from a blow, bruise, etc 2) a damaged reputation • Etymology: 1595–1605 …   From formal English to slang

  • black eye — ► NOUN ▪ an area of bruised skin around the eye resulting from a blow …   English terms dictionary

  • black eye — {n.} 1. A dark area around one s eye due to a hard blow during a fight, such as boxing. * /Mike Tyson sported a black eye after the big fight./ 2. Discredit. * /Bob s illegal actions will give a black eye to the popular movement he started./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • black eye — {n.} 1. A dark area around one s eye due to a hard blow during a fight, such as boxing. * /Mike Tyson sported a black eye after the big fight./ 2. Discredit. * /Bob s illegal actions will give a black eye to the popular movement he started./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • black eye — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms black eye : singular black eye plural black eyes a dark mark that forms on the skin around your eye as a result of being hit …   English dictionary

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