What happens to our eyes after we die is a question that has fascinated humans for millennia. Our eyes are such vital organs in life, allowing us to see and experience the world around us. It’s only natural that people would wonder what becomes of them after death. While the exact changes may depend on the circumstances of death, the eyes do go through a predictable series of physical transformations as the body decomposes. Understanding these processes can give us insight into death and the human body.
What happens immediately after death?
For a period of time immediately following death, the eyes remain largely unchanged. However, some subtle shifts begin taking place:
- The pupils dilate – With the loss of muscle tone and nervous control, the pupils become fixed in a dilated position.
- Cornea flattens – As intraocular pressure drops, the cornea starts losing its rounded shape and begins flattening out.
- Eyes sink back – With relaxation of facial muscles and tissues, the eyes sink further back into the sockets.
- Lacrimation stops – Tear production ceases with the end of autonomous nervous function.
- Eyes lose blood circulation – Blood flow to the retina and other eye structures stops as the heart no longer pumps blood.
These initial changes are subtle and the eyes remain intact for at least several hours after death. The corneas will still be clear rather than cloudy. Discoloration or collapse of eye tissue would not yet be apparent. To an observer, the eyes of the newly deceased may look largely the same as in life.
Early decomposition changes
More noticeable alterations take place in the eyes as decomposition progresses:
- Corneal haze – The cornea develops a clouded, hazy appearance as fluid accumulates and the tissue begins breaking down.
- Corneal desiccation – Without blinking and tear production, the cornea dries out and becomes desiccated.
- Vitreous haze – The vitreous humor between the lens and retina loses transparency as proteins clump together.
- Intraocular discoloration – Hemoglobin from ruptured blood vessels leaks into the eye, staining the interior structures red.
- Scleral thinning – The white outer layer of the eyeball starts thinning and shrinking as collagen breaks down.
- Collapse of eye – As orbital fat decomposes, the eyeball flattens and sinks into the socket.
The onset of these changes depends on conditions like temperature, access of insects, and moisture. But within 24-36 hours of death, the eyes take on an increasingly deteriorated, dysfunctional appearance. The corneas turn opaque rather than clear and may appear discolored or sunken as decomposition advances.
Later changes
In the later stages of decomposition, the eyes undergo additional dramatic and grisly changes:
- Complete collapse – The eyeball eventually ruptures and the entire contents of the eye socket liquidize and leak out.
- Liquefaction – The jelly-like vitreous humor of the eye mixes with the aqueous humor, creating a soupy liquid.
- Loss of eye contents – This liquid often oozes out of the socket, leaving it empty.
- Tissue removal by insects – Fly larvae and other insects may feed on the eyes, removing much of the soft tissue.
- Orbital bone exposure – With total loss of the eyeball and orbital fat, the bony socket becomes exposed.
At this advanced stage of decomposition, the eyes are completely gone, having ruptured and leaked away. All that remains is the collapsed, empty eyelids and exposed orbital bones. The dramatic postmortem changes to these once lively eyes further reflect the finality of death.
What factors influence postmortem eye changes?
While all dead eyes undergo similar processes, the rate and specifics can vary based on different factors:
Cause of death
The cause and manner of death influences early eye changes. Certain types of death result in distinctive eye findings:
- Asphyxiation – Petechiae hemorrhages form on the conjunctiva and face.
- Blunt force trauma – Blood accumulates beneath the conjunctiva.
- Barotrauma – Ruptured blood vessels cause discoloration of the conjunctiva.
- Chemical exposure – The cornea and conjunctiva may be burned.
- Fire – The eyes shrivel and burn away.
These findings can provide clues about the death itself based on early postmortem eye examination.
Environmental temperature
Temperature has a major impact on the rate of decomposition. Heat accelerates chemical and enzymatic processes that cause tissues to break down. Cooler temperatures slow these changes. Eyes left at room temperature would decompose quicker than those refrigerated at 4°C (39°F).
For example, eyes may liquefy and collapse within 12 hours in hot conditions but take 2-3 days in cooler temperatures. Blowflies and flesh flies are also more attracted to warmer eyes to lay eggs, initiating insect activity.
Insect access
Fly larvae and other insects speed decomposition once they gain access to the corpse. They secrete proteolytic enzymes that digest eye proteins and perforate the tissue with burrowing. If the body is wrapped or enclosed, limiting insects, the eyes would remain intact longer compared to remains left exposed.
Moisture
A moist environment encourages the growth of microorganisms and accelerates chemical breakdown of eye tissues. The eyes undergo wet decomposition. In arid conditions with desiccating winds or sun exposure, the eyes dry out through mummification. The entire decomposition process slows.
Age and health of deceased
The more robust and healthy the eye tissue at death, the longer it takes to break down. Younger people with healthy eyes resist decomposition longer than older individuals with ocular diseases. Conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy compromise the eyes and speed postmortem changes.
What happens to eye implants after death?
Many people undergo ophthalmologic procedures to implant artificial lenses and other devices. What happens to these eye implants after death?
Intraocular lenses (IOLs)
Intraocular lenses are implanted after cataract surgery to replace the clouded natural lens. Being silicon or acrylic, IOLs do not decompose. As the eye structures around them break down with putrefaction, the intact IOLs eventually leach out of the ocular remnants.
Corneal transplants
A donated corneal graft transplanted into the recipient’s eye integrates with the surrounding tissue. When the recipient dies, this new section of cornea decomposes at the same rate as the original cornea. It does not remain intact or distinct.
Glaucoma drainage implants
Implanted shunts and tubes to drain fluid in glaucoma are made of sturdy, nonbiodegradable materials like silicone or polypropylene. They remain in place within the decomposing, liquefying eye socket after death but no longer serve their function.
Orbital implants
After eye amputation, porous polyethylene or hydroxyapatite spheres can be implanted within the orbit to allow prosthetic eye placement. Being synthetic, these orbital implants remain intact amid the liquefying eye remnants after death.
So while artificial ocular devices survive the decomposition process, they become nonfunctional debris scattered among skeletal remains rather than intact, working medical implants.
Can eyes be donated after death?
Within several hours of death, the eyes deteriorate too much to be suitable for transplant. But the corneas, and even the sclera or entire eyeball, may be harvested immediately after death while still healthy. Here are some donation guidelines:
- Corneas can be donated up to 6 hours after death.
- Whole eye globes for research can be donated up to 8 hours after death..
- Donor age limit is typically 75 years old.
- Eyes with infections or trauma are not eligible.
- The eyes are surgically extracted by an ophthalmologist.
Donated corneas are transplanted to recipients with corneal blindness or damage, restoring vision. Whole eyeballs advance various research efforts. This altruistic practice allows something positive to result after death.
Can eye tissue survive after death?
While eye organ donation must occur promptly after death, some eye components can remain viable even longer in the deceased:
Corneal epithelial cells
The corneal epithelium can be harvested up to 11 days after death. When transplanted, these cells help heal damaged corneas on recipients.
Retinal neurons
Retinal ganglion cells remain functionally active up to 5 days after death. These neurons could potentially be stimulated to restore some visual pathways in blindness.
Photoreceptors
Rod and cone cells in the retinas may also remain responsive to light up to 5 days after death, retaining some visual transduction ability.
So although the intact eye deteriorates quickly after death, some cellular components can persist and function days later, opening intriguing possibilities for future treatments.
What happens to donor eyes that are not used?
If an extracted whole eye is not suitable for transplant or research, or goes unused within the viable timeframe, the standard procedure is to return the eye to the deceased donor’s body. The eye is placed within the orbit or alongside the donor during funeral proceedings and final disposition. Eye donation programs have strict policies against discarding donated ocular tissue.
Importance of eye donors
Donor eye transplantation is vital for restoring sight to thousands afflicted with corneal damage and blindness. But only about 1% of donors choose to donate their eyes after death. Any healthy individual can potentially become an eye donor and transform lives through this gift. Eyes donated immediately after death get a second life rather than slowly decomposing.
Conclusion
What happens to our eyes after we die remains an intriguing scientific and philosophical question. Our moist, delicate eyes are not preserved intact for long after death. Within hours, the corneas haze over, the contents liquefy and leak out, and the orbs collapse into the sockets. Temperature, moisture, trauma, and insects accelerate the inevitable decomposition process.
But the span of time before deterioration provides a window for eye donation. Surgical removal of intact eyes shortly after death allows the corneas to be transplanted and whole eyeballs used for research. Some cellular components may even retain function for days. So while our own eyes may not live on after we die, they can give the gift of sight and healing to someone still living. Through mindful eye donation, we can leave behind an inspiring legacy.