Why do a dying person's eyes sometimes stay partly open?
A dying person's eyes may stay partly open because the eyelid muscles relax and blinking becomes less frequent.
A dying person's eyes may stay partly open because the eyelid muscles relax and blinking becomes less frequent. This can happen when someone is deeply asleep, unconscious, very weak, or after they have died.
It can be upsetting to see. By itself, partly open eyes do not mean the person is frightened, awake or suffering.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. It cannot tell you exactly what is happening in one person's situation. If you have concerns about a symptom, medicine, treatment decision or change in someone's condition, contact their doctor, palliative care team, nurse or other treating health professional.
Why it happens near death
As the body slows, muscles lose strength and tone. The person may no longer blink normally or close their eyelids fully. Often people describe glassy, teary or half-open eyes as changes that can happen in the hours before death.
The eyes may look fixed, dry, glassy or unfocused. The person may stare into the distance, but that does not always mean they are seeing something or trying to communicate.
After death, the eyelids may remain partly open. Healthdirect also lists half-open eyelids and fixed pupils among signs that death has occurred.
Are they still seeing?
Near death, senses often fade. A person may not be able to focus their eyes or respond, even if their eyes are open. They may still hear or sense a calm presence.
Speak normally and gently. Tell them who is there. Do not assume they are afraid because their eyes are open. Look for other signs of distress such as grimacing, tense muscles, moaning, panic, or repeated restless movement.
Eye dryness
If the eyes stay partly open, they can become dry. In hospital, hospice or aged care, staff may use eye care if needed. At home, ask the palliative care team or nurse what to do. Do not put drops, ointment or anything else in the eyes unless it has been advised for that person.
If the person seems bothered by light, dim the room. Avoid touching the eyes unless you have been shown what to do.
Should you close the eyelids?
While the person is still alive, do not force the eyelids closed. You may gently reduce bright light or ask staff whether eye care is needed.
After death, a nurse, doctor or funeral director can guide you. Some families find the appearance hard. That reaction is understandable.
What matters most
Focus on comfort. Keep the room calm. Speak before touching the person. Continue mouth care and gentle care as advised. Ask the team to check if you are unsure whether the person is comfortable.
It is reasonable to ask:
- "Are they awake or aware?"
- "Do their eyes look dry?"
- "Do they need eye care?"
- "Do they look comfortable to you?"
When to get help now
Contact the care team if the person seems distressed, has sudden eye pain or injury, becomes suddenly less conscious in an unexpected way, or has other worrying symptoms such as breathing distress, agitation, fever or seizure.
Call 000 if the person is suddenly unconscious and not expected to be dying, or if there is no plan and you need emergency help.
You may also want to read
- Why is a dying person staring into the distance?
- Can someone who is unconscious still hear me?
- How can I tell if someone is dying?
- Is what I'm seeing normal dying, or are they suffering?