The eyes are two of the most complex organs in the human body. They allow us to see and perceive the world around us. But what happens to the eyes after someone dies? Here we will explore the changes that occur in the eyes during the process of death and decomposition.
What happens immediately after death?
When someone dies, their brain stops functioning, including the parts that control eye movement and blinking. This results in the eyes staying open initially after death. Within a few hours after death, the cornea – the clear outer layer of the eyes – begins to get cloudy. This is due to cells dying and fluids evaporating from the eyes. The clouding of the corneas is one of the early signs that forensic investigators look for when examining a body to estimate time of death.
In living people, tears help lubricate and protect the eyes. But after death, there are no more tears to keep the eyes moist. They begin to dry out. The epithelial cells lining the eyes start to degenerate and peel away. This leads to the eyes looking sunken as the moisture evaporates.
Right after death, the eyes of the deceased take on a neutral, relaxed expression. But as rigour mortis sets in, contractions of muscles around the eyes may cause them to open or close slightly.
What about pupil dilation after death?
A common myth about the eyes after death is that the pupils will remain fixed and dilated. In actuality, there is mixed evidence about pupil dilation after death. Some researchers have found the pupils stay the same size as they were around the time of death. Other studies have shown the pupils can constrict or dilate slightly within the first 24 hours after death. But they do not necessarily become locked in a fixed, dilated position.
Factors like the amount of light exposure, position of the body, and how the person died can impact pupil dilation after death. For instance, opioid overdose deaths often display pronounced miosis (pinpoint pupils) that remain after death. Overall, fixed dilated pupils should not be considered a definitive sign someone has died.
Decomposition changes in the eyes
More noticeable changes begin in the eyes during the early stages of decomposition after death:
- The entire globe (ball) of the eye starts to collapse and sink back into the skull. This is due to dehydration and loss of intraocular pressure.
- The layer of fat and connective tissue surrounding the eyeballs decomposes. This causes the eyes to look more sunken and concave.
- Desquamation and putrefaction of eye tissues causes the eyeball contents to become more liquid.
- The corneas may develop tan or brown discoloration as they continue drying out.
- Blood vessels in the sclera (whites of the eyes) may become more visible due to thinning of the sclera.
By the later stages of decomposition, the eyeballs flatten and liquify further. The intraocular fluid often leaks out, causing the eyes to collapse. In some cases, the eyes may protrude from the sockets if gases build up during putrefaction. The eyelids may sink into the sockets, exposing more of the eyeball.
Factors that affect the eyes after death
Several factors influence the deterioration and breakdown of the eyes after death:
- Exposure – Bodies left out in the open will show faster breakdown of eye tissues from dehydration.
- Insects/scavengers – Insect activity and scavenging animals may cause additional damage and liquidation of the eyes.
- Environmental conditions – Heat, high humidity, and moisture all accelerate decomposition changes in the eyes.
- Cause of death – Trauma, toxins, infections, or chronic conditions may alter chemical changes that occur after death.
- Age at time of death – The eyes of infants and younger individuals often decompose faster.
Forensic studies have measured the time it takes for the various stages of eye decomposition after death. But individual results can show variation based on the factors above.
Can eyes be donated after death?
Within the first few hours after death, the eyes are still suitable for organ and tissue donation. The corneas, sclera, vitreous jelly, and other parts of the eye can be used in transplants to help give sight to someone who is blind or visually impaired. That is why eye banks make urgent appeals for eye donations when someone dies.
To be eligible for eye donation after death:
- The eyes must be removed by an ophthalmologist shortly after death, before decomposition begins.
- The donor typically needs to be younger, around age 70 or less.
- The person must not have infections or diseases that could be spread via corneal transplant.
After removal, the donated eye tissues are preserved and stored in refrigeration at the eye bank until transplanted. Refrigeration helps prevent deterioration and allows the tissues to be evaluated for viability. With prompt removal and proper storage, the eyes can be used to give the gift of sight even after the donor has passed away.
Changes during advanced decomposition
During advanced decomposition stages past a month after death, the eyes shrivel up even further. The eyeballs flatten out, lose dimension, and eventually resemble tan or gray flakes of tissue. The eyelids may become so desiccated they peel open partially. Extremely mummified or skeletonized remains show empty eye sockets with no identifiable eye structures left.
If a body becomes buried before decomposition, the eyes are often one of the first areas to be impacted once the body comes into contact with soil organisms. The moist, protein-rich environment of the eyes promotes rapid breakdown by bacteria, fungi, and enzymatic processes underground.
Forensic examination of the eyes
Forensic investigators do a close examination of the eyes when analyzing decomposed human remains. They look for clues about the person’s identity and time since death. Some examples include:
- Checking for eye color, scarring, or birth defects
- Looking at retinal blood vessels or patterns in the iris to identify the individual
- Assessing the degree of scleral drying and corneal opacity
- Testing intraocular fluids for toxins or chemicals
- Using protein analysis of eye structures to estimate the postmortem interval
The many changes that take place in the eyes after death provide important evidence. Forensic investigators must collect the data quickly before the eyes deteriorate too far.
What happens to eye implants after death?
Individuals who have artificial eye implants show unique changes after death. Common types of implants include:
- Ocular prosthesis – Artificial plastic eyes to recreate the look of the eye after removal or injury.
- Corneal onlays – Transplants or grafts on the cornea to restore vision.
- Intraocular lens implants – Plastic lenses implanted after cataract surgery.
Unlike natural eyes, these artificial implants do not decompose. As the surrounding eye tissues break down, the implants may become exposed or fall out of place:
- Plastic prosthetic eyes often remain wide open as the eyelids recede.
- Corneal grafts can detach as the cornea dehydrates.
- Intraocular lenses may loosen and sink lower in the collapsed eyeball.
The breakdown of the eye does not damage the sturdy implant materials. But forensic examiners take note of displaced or exposed implants during analysis of the body, as they can indicate an eye injury or surgery during life.
Cultural and religious practices
Across different cultures and religious traditions, the eyes carry special significance. Specific rituals and customs have developed around treatment of the eyes after death:
- In Christianity, the traditional practice is to gently close the eyelids of the deceased before burial.
- Buddhist funeral rites often involve the dying person meditating with eyes open to prepare the soul for its transition.
- Some Native American tribes covered the eyes of the dead to prevent the spirit from witnessing acts done to the body.
- Traditional Chinese burials sealed the eyes shut with ritual coins placed on the lids.
The eyes represent our ability to perceive and interact with living relatives even after death. For this reason, mourners seek to treat the eyes with dignity and care as part of funeral customs.
Conclusion
The eyes undergo a complex series of changes after death. Dehydration, decomposition, and physical breakdown transform the appearance of the eyes over time. Examining these post-mortem changes provides important forensic clues. Additionally, mourners often focus special attention on the eyes of the deceased before burial based on cultural rituals and spiritual beliefs about the windows to the soul.