Occasional factors are bee stings or insect bites, which completely
occlude the palpebral fissure. We may have some palpebral edema from
lid abscesses, chalazion, hordeolum, dacryocystitis, panophthalmia and
so forth. In =hemorrhagia subdermalis= there is so much spongy tissue
beneath the skin about the eye that the blood extends easily and far.
The red tint will soon change to a reddish blue and then become dark,
what is known as a black eye (ecchymosis). This frequently results
from a blow. The skin is sharply attached around the orbital margin by
tense connective tissue so the area of the hemorrhage is limited to the
region of the orbit. There may be spontaneous rupture of some of the
vessels by hard sneezing or coughing, especially in young children.
In older people it may indicate a fragile condition of the vessels,
arteriosclerosis or some trouble with the kidneys. The diagnosis of the
eye condition is not difficult but the cause of the hemorrhage in that
region might be investigated further. Local treatment is of some value
in these conditions. They may be soothed by cold compresses. In bee
stings and insect bites use an alkaline compress. Manipulation about
the eye and osteopathic treatment of the neck with a view to directing
a better circulation to that region will aid much.