Overview

A black eye is bruising and swelling around your eye, usually caused by a blow to the area, such as a punch or fall. It should get better within 2 to 3 weeks.

Things you can do yourself to ease a black eye

There are things you can do yourself to ease any pain or swelling from a black eye.

Do:

• gently hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth) to the area around your eye for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time, and repeat regularly during the first 1 to 2 days
• take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain
• after the first 2 days, gently apply a warm (not hot) heat pack or cloth to the area around your eye regularly during the day

Don't:

• do not take aspirin, unless prescribed by a doctor, as this can make the bruising worse
• do not press or rub the area around your eye
• do not put ice directly on your skin

See a GP if:

• the black eye does not go away within 3 weeks

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You have a black eye and:

• you have a headache that does not go away, or blurry vision
• the area around your eye is warm or leaking pus
• your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery
• you're taking blood-thinning medicine (such as warfarin)
• you have a bleeding disorder (such as haemophilia)

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Go to A&E if:

• you can see blood in your eye
• you have an irregularly shaped pupil (the black dot at the centre of the eye)
• you had a blow to the head and have bruising around both eyes
• you had a blow to the head and lost consciousness or have been sick (vomited)
• you have problems with your vision, such as double vision, loss of vision, seeing flashing light, halos or shadows, or pain when looking at a bright light
• you cannot move your eye

Find and A & E department here.