Science Questions

Why don't your eyeballs freeze?

Eyeballs are full of liquid, so how do they not freeze in extreme temperatures? Alan, Orpington

[We put this question to David Thomas, author of ‘Surviving Antarctica’]

Because your eyeball is contained within your head, and your head is kept at body temperature, it never gets cold enough to freeze.  The eyeballs in a dead body would indeed freeze, but while you’re alive and radiating heat it can’t.  Even tears wont freeze immediately, as they are very salty, and salt reduces the freezing point.

July 2007