1. I got hit in the eye with a baseball, is that dangerous for my vision?
Anytime anyone experiences direct trauma to their eye it should be treated as an emergency until proven otherwise. The injury may be a mild as a swollen eyelid and black eye, but it could also involve broken bones, internal bleeding, retinal detachments, and several other sight-threatening conditions.
If you get hit in the eye with a baseball, call your eye doctor immediately. If you cannot get in contact with your doctor, go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
2. Should I visit an eye doctor if I got a black eye?
A black eye is a fancy name for a bruise around the eye. This typically happens after some type of trauma in or around the eye. In most cases, the eye itself is not damaged; the injury involves just the tissues and blood vessels surrounding the eye.
Often there is some degree of swelling and pain associated with a black eye. This is usually relieved by applying an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the area for 15 minutes every hour, and using an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol, as needed.
In most cases, it is not necessary to seek medical treatment for a black eye, as it tends to resolve on its own within 1-2 weeks. However, if you experience a change in vision (including double vision, a loss of vision, or flashes and floaters in your vision), dizziness, loss of consciousness, a persistent headache, severe pain, vomiting, bleeding from the nose or ears, or any other similar symptoms, call your eye doctor immediately as these could be signs of a more serious condition. If you cannot get in contact with your doctor, go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
3. I have pain in my eye after getting a black eye, should I visit the ER or an eye doctor?
Often there is some degree of pain and swelling associated with a black eye. This is usually relieved by applying an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the area for 15 minutes every hour, and using an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol, as needed.
In most cases, it is not necessary to seek medical treatment for a black eye, as it tends to resolve on its own within 1-2 weeks. However, if you experience a change in vision (including double vision, a loss of vision, or flashes and floaters in your vision), dizziness, loss of consciousness, a persistent headache, severe pain, vomiting, bleeding from the nose or ears, or any other similar symptoms, call your eye doctor immediately as these could be signs of a more serious condition. If you cannot get in contact with your doctor, go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.