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Anatomy of the Eye
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Sharp vision depends on many factors. The parts of the eye work together to bend (refract) and focus light rays. For normal vision, light must focus onto the retina.
- Cornea - Light enters the eye through this clear, dome-shaped tissue that covers the front of the eye. The cornea bends light rays to help focus them. Problems with its shape can affect vision.
- Pupil - This circular window in the center of the iris opens and closes to let the right amount of light into the eye.
- Iris - This is the colored part of the eye. It contains muscles that open (dilate) and close (constrict) the pupil.
- Lens - This disk of clear tissue behind the pupil changes shape to help focus light.
- Retina - This thin layer of light-sensitive tissue lines the inside back of the eye. It sends images as electrical impulses to the optic nerve.
- Optic nerve - This nerve carries signals from the retina to the brain. The brain then interprets these signals to make images. These images are what you see.
A black eye is really a bruise around your eye. It is often caused by an injury to your face or head. It is not normally due to an injury to the eye itself. The swelling and black-and-blue color happen because of blood and fluids collecting in the skin around your eye. A black eye should return to normal in 1 or 2 weeks.
When to go to the emergency room (ER)
In many cases, a black eye is a minor injury. It can be treated at home with cold packs and pain medicine. But get medical care right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- A change or loss of vision
- Trouble moving your eye up and down or side to side
- Blood inside your eye, or bleeding from your nose or ears
- Fluid leaking from your eye
What to expect in the ER
While in the ER, you may expect the following:
- Your injury will be examined.
- Your vision, the way your eye moves, and the bones around your eye will be checked.
- You may have a fluorescein stain test. This uses dye and a special light to check for damage to the surface of your eye.
- An X-ray or other tests may be done.
- Depending on the results of your exam and tests, you may be referred to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
Follow-up
While your eye is healing, call your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Swelling that doesn't improve after a few days
- Increased or severe pain
- Changes in your vision
- Warmth, redness, or pus near the bruise
The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.
To reduce pain and swelling from a black eye:
- Wrap a think towel around a cold pack before applying it to your eye.
- Apply ice packs every 20 minutes while you're awake for the first 24 hours.
- Use warm compresses every 20 minutes while you're awake for the next 24 hours.
A black eye is really a bruise around your eye. It is often caused by an injury to your face or head. It is not normally due to an injury to the eye itself. The swelling and black-and-blue color happen because of blood and fluids collecting in the skin around your eye. A black eye should return to normal in 1 or 2 weeks.
When to go to the emergency room (ER)
In many cases, a black eye is a minor injury. It can be treated at home with cold packs and pain medicine. But get medical care right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- A change or loss of vision
- Trouble moving your eye up and down or side to side
- Blood inside your eye, or bleeding from your nose or ears
- Fluid leaking from your eye
What to expect in the ER
While in the ER, you may expect the following:
- Your injury will be examined.
- Your vision, the way your eye moves, and the bones around your eye will be checked.
- You may have a fluorescein stain test. This uses dye and a special light to check for damage to the surface of your eye.
- An X-ray or other tests may be done.
- Depending on the results of your exam and tests, you may be referred to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
Follow-up
While your eye is healing, call your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Swelling that doesn't improve after a few days
- Increased or severe pain
- Changes in your vision
- Warmth, redness, or pus near the bruise
The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.
To reduce pain and swelling from a black eye:
- Wrap a think towel around a cold pack before applying it to your eye.
- Apply ice packs every 20 minutes while you're awake for the first 24 hours.
- Use warm compresses every 20 minutes while you're awake for the next 24 hours.
A black eye is really a bruise around your eye. It is often caused by an injury to your face or head. It is not normally due to an injury to the eye itself. The swelling and black-and-blue color happen because of blood and fluids collecting in the skin around your eye. A black eye should return to normal in 1 or 2 weeks.
When to go to the emergency room (ER)
In many cases, a black eye is a minor injury. It can be treated at home with cold packs and pain medicine. But get medical care right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- A change or loss of vision
- Trouble moving your eye up and down or side to side
- Blood inside your eye, or bleeding from your nose or ears
- Fluid leaking from your eye
What to expect in the ER
While in the ER, you may expect the following:
- Your injury will be examined.
- Your vision, the way your eye moves, and the bones around your eye will be checked.
- You may have a fluorescein stain test. This uses dye and a special light to check for damage to the surface of your eye.
- An X-ray or other tests may be done.
- Depending on the results of your exam and tests, you may be referred to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
Follow-up
While your eye is healing, call your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Swelling that doesn't improve after a few days
- Increased or severe pain
- Changes in your vision
- Warmth, redness, or pus near the bruise
The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.
To reduce pain and swelling from a black eye:
- Wrap a think towel around a cold pack before applying it to your eye.
- Apply ice packs every 20 minutes while you're awake for the first 24 hours.
- Use warm compresses every 20 minutes while you're awake for the next 24 hours.
A black eye is really a bruise around your eye. It is often caused by an injury to your face or head. It is not normally due to an injury to the eye itself. The swelling and black-and-blue color happen because of blood and fluids collecting in the skin around your eye. A black eye should return to normal in 1 or 2 weeks.
When to go to the emergency room (ER)
In many cases, a black eye is a minor injury. It can be treated at home with cold packs and pain medicine. But get medical care right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- A change or loss of vision
- Trouble moving your eye up and down or side to side
- Blood inside your eye, or bleeding from your nose or ears
- Fluid leaking from your eye
What to expect in the ER
While in the ER, you may expect the following:
- Your injury will be examined.
- Your vision, the way your eye moves, and the bones around your eye will be checked.
- You may have a fluorescein stain test. This uses dye and a special light to check for damage to the surface of your eye.
- An X-ray or other tests may be done.
- Depending on the results of your exam and tests, you may be referred to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
Follow-up
While your eye is healing, call your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Swelling that doesn't improve after a few days
- Increased or severe pain
- Changes in your vision
- Warmth, redness, or pus near the bruise
The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.
To reduce pain and swelling from a black eye:
- Wrap a think towel around a cold pack before applying it to your eye.
- Apply ice packs every 20 minutes while you're awake for the first 24 hours.
- Use warm compresses every 20 minutes while you're awake for the next 24 hours.
A black eye is really a bruise around your eye. It is often caused by an injury to your face or head. It is not normally due to an injury to the eye itself. The swelling and black-and-blue color happen because of blood and fluids collecting in the skin around your eye. A black eye should return to normal in 1 or 2 weeks.
When to go to the emergency room (ER)
In many cases, a black eye is a minor injury. It can be treated at home with cold packs and pain medicine. But get medical care right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- A change or loss of vision
- Trouble moving your eye up and down or side to side
- Blood inside your eye, or bleeding from your nose or ears
- Fluid leaking from your eye
What to expect in the ER
While in the ER, you may expect the following:
- Your injury will be examined.
- Your vision, the way your eye moves, and the bones around your eye will be checked.
- You may have a fluorescein stain test. This uses dye and a special light to check for damage to the surface of your eye.
- An X-ray or other tests may be done.
- Depending on the results of your exam and tests, you may be referred to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
Follow-up
While your eye is healing, call your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Swelling that doesn't improve after a few days
- Increased or severe pain
- Changes in your vision
- Warmth, redness, or pus near the bruise
The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.
To reduce pain and swelling from a black eye:
- Wrap a think towel around a cold pack before applying it to your eye.
- Apply ice packs every 20 minutes while you're awake for the first 24 hours.
- Use warm compresses every 20 minutes while you're awake for the next 24 hours.
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