Differential Diagnosis for Black/Swollen Eye
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Periorbital Hematoma: This is the most likely diagnosis due to the common presentation of a black and swollen eye, often resulting from trauma, which can cause bleeding into the tissues around the eye.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Conjunctivitis: Inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva can cause swelling and redness around the eye, which might be perceived as blackness due to the discoloration.
- Allergic Reaction: An allergic reaction can cause significant swelling and discoloration around the eye, often accompanied by itching and redness.
- Cellulitis: A bacterial infection of the skin and tissues around the eye can lead to swelling, redness, and sometimes a black appearance due to the severity of the infection.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Orbital Cellulitis: Although similar to periorbital cellulitis, orbital cellulitis is an infection behind the eye, which can lead to serious complications, including vision loss and cavernous sinus thrombosis, if not promptly treated.
- Retinal Detachment: Trauma to the eye can cause retinal detachment, which may present with symptoms like flashes of light, floaters, and a shadow or curtain descending over the field of vision, but can also cause swelling and discoloration around the eye.
- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: A rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can arise from facial infections, including those around the eye, leading to thrombosis of the cavernous sinus.
Rare Diagnoses
- Angioedema: A rare condition characterized by the rapid swelling of the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, mucosa, and submucosal tissues, which can affect the area around the eye and cause significant swelling and discoloration.
- Wegener's Granulomatosis: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation of the blood vessels, including those around the eye, leading to swelling and discoloration.
- Melanoma: Although extremely rare to present as a swollen black eye, melanoma can cause pigmentation changes and swelling if it involves the tissues around the eye.