What is a cat s eye in humans?
The eyes can be used to accurately determine the onset of biological death even in the early stages. This can be done thanks to the Beloglazov sign or “cat’s eye”. When you press on the side of the eye, the pupil deforms into a vertical one, reminiscent of a cat’s. This phenomenon can be observed 15-20 minutes after death. If you wait a little longer, new changes will appear before the eyes of the deceased. For example, after two hours the eyes will dry out due to the fact that the tear glands stop functioning. Tears no longer moisten the eye, so the eyes of a dead person lose their shine and become cloudy, sometimes with the appearance of a grayish-yellow coating.
What is a “cat’s eye” on a dead person?
The symptom of “cat’s eye” is a special condition of the eye of a deceased person, when when pressing from the side on the eyeball, the pupil is deformed, taking on an elongated shape. It is possible to deform a living person’s eye this way, but it is very difficult.
When does it appear?
- Drying of mucous membranes.
- Drop in body temperature.
- The appearance of cadaveric spots.
- Rigor.
- The beginning of decomposition.
Medical explanation
According to the “cat’s eye” symptom, when gently compressed, the deceased’s eyeball becomes deformed and the pupil takes on an elongated shape. It is difficult to achieve this state in a living person for two reasons:
- The tone of the muscle that maintains the pupil in its normal state.
- Presence of intraocular pressure. It is what prevents the shape of the eyeball from changing.
After biological death occurs, the central nervous system ceases to function, resulting in the pupil no longer constricting as a result of impulses. In addition, blood circulation in the body of a dead person stops and there is no pressure. This causes the pressure inside the eye to also disappear.
The combination of all these factors allows you to change the shape of the pupil of the deceased with one click.
Important! In foreign medical practice, the Beloglazov sign is not used. Instead, doctors resort to the Ripo sign. It is identical to the Beloglazov sign with the exception that the eye is pressed not from the sides, but from above and below. With the Ripo sign, the eye of the deceased takes on an elongated horizontal shape.
Please note that if you find a family member dead and want to check if he is dead using the cat’s eye, do not put too much pressure on the eye! You may injure a living person! It is better not to touch the deceased and immediately call an ambulance. Leave the death determination to the doctors.
Questions and Answers
Is “cat’s pupil” a reliable sign of death?
Yes, this sign is reliable. The eyes of a living person, even one who is unconscious, do not behave this way.
Is there a “veil” before the eyes with this symptom, like in the movies?
No, clouding of the eyes occurs much later. The eyes of the deceased, in which the sign of Beloglazov can be observed, are simply devoid of shine.
And who is Beloglazov himself?
Little is known about the person who discovered this sign. Mikhail Mikhailovich Beloglazov was born in 1859. At first he was a zemstvo doctor in the Tambov province, and later a free practitioner. In 1884 he received an academic title. The date of death and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the sign of biological death named after him are unknown.
If you are planning a farewell to the deceased and don’t know where to start, then contact the specialized service Ritual.ru – +7 (495) 100-3-100. Our agents will help you with collecting documents, conducting funerals and memorials. Please note that during the call you can select the ritual agent with whom you would like to work. You can give preference to a person of a certain gender or religion. We accept calls 24/7.
