Often it will be obvious that your face has been seriously fractured by a traumatic event, such as a car accident, fall or an external impact. Other times the symptoms will be subtle. Your first clue that facial bones have been damaged may be pain, swelling, bruising and sensitivity at the site of the injury. If the nose is fractured, its surface may appear purple in color, as blood from damaged capillaries seeps into the skin. You may see a similar color change beneath the eyes. In addition, the septum or bridge of the nose may be misaligned, the nose may appear twisted, and you may experience trouble breathing through one or both nostrils. If the bones in the orbital area fracture, your vision can be affected. You may have double vision, or experience blurred or dimmed vision. Your ability to move the eyes naturally may also be impacted. Swelling in the surrounding skin, numbness, changes in the position of the eyeballs, and blood or unusual coloration in the eye are all possible signs that you have an orbital fracture. When your facial injury is centered on the jaw, you may have pain when you open your mouth, and you may struggle with normal jaw functions such as speaking and chewing food. Your jaw may have been knocked out of position, and teeth may be damaged or missing.