It is common for an individual to develop a black eye if they have received a head or face injury. The “black” eye results from fluid and blood collecting around the eye. The area begins to swell and a black eye is the result. Most black eye bruises are not serious injuries and within a few days they resolve on their own. However, occasionally black eye bruises can signify something more serious.
Although the common name is “black eye” the eye generally has not been injured and it is just the surrounding tissue that is bruised. Generally, black eye bruises are just bruises that surround the eye and don’t actually affect it. Over the period of a couple days the swelling will resolve and the bruising will begin to fade away.
The eye area is more prone to swelling because the tissue is quite loose with fat below the surface that makes fluid accumulation quite easy. The eye area very frequently swells when there is a facial injury and in some cases both eyes may appear with bruises if the injury is in the right location.
Generally, black eye bruises result from being hit in the nose or eye. When someone is struck with a fist on their face one or both eyes may be affected and if the nose is involved a bloody nose may result, too. Many times a blow to the nose results in both eyes swelling and bruising because the nasal swelling causes swelling in the eye tissue.
It is also common for individuals undergoing facial surgeries to have black eyes. This could be from nose surgery, facelifts, or even jaw surgery. Other causes of swollen eyes include insect bites, allergic reactions, dental infections, angiodema, cellulitis, and the like. The area will not bruise with these types of injuries, however.
The symptoms of black eyes include swelling and pain. Generally, after the injury occurs the area will be red and begin to swell. However, over a period of a few hours the area may begin to bruise and blacken. The ultimate bruise will appear dark blue, black and purple with streaks of yellow and green. The bruised area begins to fade over the period of a few days. Visual problems are not common with black eyes although it is common to have blurry vision or problems opening the eye until the swelling resolves. It is common to have a headache with black eyes, too.