When an individual passes away, a common question arises regarding the state of their eyes: do they remain open or close? Media portrayals often depict deceased individuals with wide-open eyes, leading to public curiosity. However, the biological reality of what happens to the eyes after death is more complex than a simple yes or no, involving a sequence of physiological changes.
The Immediate Biological Response
Immediately following somatic death, the body undergoes primary relaxation or flaccidity. During this initial period, all muscles, including those responsible for movement, lose their tone and become limp. The orbicularis oculi muscles, responsible for closing the eyelids, relax along with the rest of the body’s musculature.
This relaxation of the orbicularis oculi muscles typically causes the eyelids to lose tension. As a result, the eyes often partially or fully close shortly after death. This immediate post-mortem flaccidity is a natural physiological response.
Factors Influencing Eye Appearance After Death
While initial muscle relaxation often leads to eye closure, several factors can influence whether a deceased person’s eyes appear open or partially open. Facial anatomy, such as prominent eyeballs or shallow eye sockets, might prevent complete eyelid closure. The position of the head and body at the time of death can also affect how the eyelids settle.
After initial flaccidity, the body enters rigor mortis, a stiffening of the muscles. Rigor mortis typically begins in the eyelids and jaw muscles within one to four hours after death, then progresses throughout the body. If the eyelids are not fully closed during the primary relaxation phase, rigor mortis can fix them in that partially open position. Even a slight opening can give the impression that the eyes are wide open.
When eyes remain open after death, exposure to air can lead to specific post-mortem changes. A yellow or reddish-brown triangular discoloration, known as “tache noire de la sclerotique,” can develop on the exposed sclera (the white part of the eye) due to drying and dust deposition. This phenomenon is more common when the eyelids are not fully shut.
Addressing Common Beliefs and Practices
The depiction of deceased individuals with open eyes is a common trope in media, often contrasting with the typical biological response. In reality, due to the primary relaxation of muscles, eyes often close or partially close shortly after death. The idea of eyes remaining wide open is largely a misconception perpetuated by fictional portrayals.
In many cultures and medical practices, it is customary for medical professionals or funeral directors to gently close the eyes of the deceased. This practice is primarily done for respectful presentation and to ensure a peaceful, dignified appearance for viewing by family and friends.