Black eye

A black eye refers to the bruising and swelling that occurs around the eye, typically resulting from a knock to the area, like a punch or a fall. It usually improves within 2 to 3 weeks. There are several self-care measures you can take to alleviate pain and swelling associated with a black eye. You can gently apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a cloth to the area around your eye for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time, repeating this regularly during the first 1 to 2 days. For any discomfort, over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be helpful.