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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Red Colored Eye With Head Injury?

Hi. My 15 year old son was in his high school baseball game when in the dugout he jumped up to head out o the field and hit his head on the concrete ceiling. I was not at the game but it was reported that he had slightly dilated pupils, a headache, and now his right eye is red. It is very late here but should I take him to the ER? These are his only symptoms.
Mon, 8 Feb 2016
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Neurologist, Surgical,  's  Response
Hello. Thanks for asking from HCM.


I can understand your concern. The redness in right eye is due to direct injury causing rupture of blood vessel and accumulation of blood in skin layer. It also causes swelling.

Dilatation of pupil is significant if it is present in bright light and there is no pupillary constriction even after examining with torch light. If your son is having above finding then he must be shown to doctor in ER. The doctor will advise CT head to rule out fracture or bleed. Further management will be decided after CT report. Fracture is usually managed by medical treatment while bleed may require surgical evacuation.

If no above finding, you should also observe him for few signs of dangerous head injury

: vomiting
: bleed through nose/ear/throat
: loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes
: onset of new focal deficit
: fits
: persistent headache not responding to painkillers

If any of above sign, consult ER as soon as possible. Management is similar to dilated non reactive pupil management.

If no above signs and only red eye, you can follow few tips

: Apply icepacks at swelling site
: Avoid pressure at injury site
: You can give him painkiller like Diclofenac sodium after proper prescription

Hope it will help you. Thanks.


Take care.
Dr Ishu Bishnoi
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What Causes Red Colored Eye With Head Injury?

Hello. Thanks for asking from HCM. I can understand your concern. The redness in right eye is due to direct injury causing rupture of blood vessel and accumulation of blood in skin layer. It also causes swelling. Dilatation of pupil is significant if it is present in bright light and there is no pupillary constriction even after examining with torch light. If your son is having above finding then he must be shown to doctor in ER. The doctor will advise CT head to rule out fracture or bleed. Further management will be decided after CT report. Fracture is usually managed by medical treatment while bleed may require surgical evacuation. If no above finding, you should also observe him for few signs of dangerous head injury : vomiting : bleed through nose/ear/throat : loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes : onset of new focal deficit : fits : persistent headache not responding to painkillers If any of above sign, consult ER as soon as possible. Management is similar to dilated non reactive pupil management. If no above signs and only red eye, you can follow few tips : Apply icepacks at swelling site : Avoid pressure at injury site : You can give him painkiller like Diclofenac sodium after proper prescription Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care. Dr Ishu Bishnoi