A blow to the eye

Serious and permanent eye damage can result from a blunt object, from a sports injury, a fall or a fight. Care should be taken when treating such an injury as the bone surrounding the eye could be fractured.

Signs and symptoms

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Possible bleeding
• Redness of the eye
• Headache

Treatment
When to seek medical help.

Send your casualty to see their GP if:

• They have a change in vision 
• The pain is persistent 
• There is pus or warmth and redness, indicating infection 
• They become forgetful or drowsy 
• They have nausea, vomiting and/or dizziness 
• The swelling does not subside after a few days 

Go to your hospital accident and emergency department if:

• They have two black eyes (this could suggest a skull fracture) 
• They have double vision 
• They cannot move the eye 
• They think something has pierced the eye 
• There is a cut to the eye or blood inside the eye 
• Fluid is leaking from the eye or the eye looks deformed 
• They are taking blood-thinning medication such as aspirin, or have a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia