Introduction
What are the symptoms of bruising in the eye?
In the case of a harmless bruise in the eye caused by burst veins, there is usually no further complaint. However, pain around the eye as well as strong headaches can accompany the bruising. Also visual disturbances of various kinds can be triggered.
Blurred vision, double vision or the sudden appearance of clouding, which can be perceived as a swarm of black dots. The latter points to a vitreous hemorrhage. This involves the risk of tearing the retina of the eye.
If flashes of light are added to this, this can be a sign of a retinal tear that has already occurred. A doctor should definitely be consulted immediately! Furthermore, an eye that protrudes and additionally causes visual deterioration may indicate a bruise behind the eye, the so-called retrobulbar hematoma. If such a suspicion exists, a doctor should be consulted immediately. Even if permanent or recurring accompanying symptoms such as headaches and visual disturbances occur, the causes and, if necessary, the underlying diseases should be clarified by a doctor.
When should one go to the doctor and how does he diagnose the disease?
If a bruise in the eye does not go back after 2 days or if there are accompanying symptoms such as headaches, vision problems or other complaints, a doctor should be consulted. Even if the bruises in the eye occur repeatedly, an examination should be carried out. This begins with a specific questioning.
Afterwards the doctor will take a close look at the eye. In addition, he can differentiate between extensive eye bleeding and reddening of the eye. If blood collects on the eyeball, this is recognizable as bright red spots.
If, on the other hand, the iris is stained red, this is a sign that the blood has collected in the vitreous cavity, behind the lens of the eye. If the whole eye seems to be “bloodshot”, it is usually a bleeding under the conjunctiva. The doctor literally takes the eye “under the magnifying glass” when he examines it with the slit lamp. Depending on the accompanying symptoms, additional examinations are made. In some cases, a referral is made to another specialist, for example if there is a suspicion of a so-called neurological cause.
Bruise on the outside of the eye
Bruises inside the eye occur relatively rarely, but they are more risky due to their area of spread. Within the eye there are very important structures that are indispensable for the visual process. The lens with the ciliary muscles, the vitreous body, the retina and the optic nerve are the components of the eye that enable perfect vision.
Bruises in these areas can lead to the displacement of these structures and thus to an injury and severe limitation of vision. Furthermore, it must be taken into account that during the development of the haematoma, such a great force may have been acting on the eye that structures in the area of the eye have already been injured. Haematomas in the eye must be carefully examined by an ophthalmologist and their effects on the function of the eye must be weighed up.
In some cases, treatment is not necessary, as the haematoma will resolve itself within a few days. However, it may also be necessary to remove the bruise by means of surgical measures. Please see also:
- Eye surgery
- Vitreous hemorrhage
- Eye Pain
