It is a common question whether the color of a person’s eyes changes after death. The inherent color pigment of the eye does not fade or disappear. While the appearance of the eyes can certainly alter significantly after death, the underlying biological components responsible for eye color remain stable. This phenomenon often leads to a misunderstanding, as the visual changes observed are due to post-mortem processes affecting the eye’s structure and clarity, rather than a change in the color itself.
The Stability of Eye Color
Eye color is primarily determined by the amount and type of melanin present in the iris, the colored part of the eye. Melanin is a complex polymer pigment, and its concentration dictates the shade of the eyes; for instance, higher melanin levels result in brown eyes, while lower levels lead to blue or green eyes. This pigment is remarkably stable and does not easily degrade or change color after an individual dies. The cells cease to produce new melanin after death, but the existing pigment within the iris remains largely intact, preserving the original eye color.
Post-Mortem Eye Changes
While the pigment itself remains, several physical and structural changes occur in the eye after death, which can dramatically alter its appearance. One of the most noticeable changes is corneal clouding, also known as corneal opacity, where a hazy film forms over the eyeball. This clouding can make the eyes appear dull, milky, blue, or gray, obscuring the true iris color. Corneal clouding can begin within minutes if the eyes are open, typically becoming apparent around two hours after death and progressing to greater opacity over the next one to two days. This change occurs because the cornea, which is normally transparent, dries out due to the cessation of oxygen exchange and the absence of tear production.
Another common post-mortem change is desiccation, or the drying out of the eye’s surface. If the eyelids are not completely closed, the exposed part of the eye can dry out, leading to the formation of a dark gray to dark brown line known as “tache noire”.
The pupils also undergo changes; shortly after death, they typically enlarge due to the relaxation of muscles and loss of oxygen, becoming fixed and non-reactive to light. Some studies note that pupils may constrict with the onset of rigor mortis. Other observations can include a glassy appearance, which may result from watery eyes before death, or unfocused eyes. Furthermore, blood vessels within the eye can fragment, leading to a bloody appearance known as the Kevorkian sign, and dust fragments may accumulate in the white of the eye, causing a yellowish discoloration in the corners. Over a longer period, the eyeballs may also begin to recede deeper into the skull.
Addressing the Misconception
The common belief that eyes lose their color after death stems from a misinterpretation of these various physical changes. The perceived “loss of color” is not due to the fading of the melanin pigment, but rather to the altered clarity and structure of the eye’s outer layers. Corneal clouding, desiccation, and other post-mortem processes obscure the iris, making its true color difficult to discern or giving it a dull, faded, or discolored appearance. For instance, the hazy film of corneal opacity can make an eye that was once brown appear blue or gray, simply because the transparent cornea has become opaque.
The stability of melanin means that the actual color of the iris remains unchanged, even as the eye’s superficial appearance is transformed. The eye’s altered state can create an illusion of color modification, leading observers to believe that the pigment itself has diminished. The changes are a natural part of the post-mortem process, affecting how light interacts with the eye and how its color is perceived, rather than causing a chemical alteration of the pigment itself.