Does anyone know why a person;s eyes appear to be sunken after a long illness? I've read that it has to do with dehydration but i need it to be more specific. I need to know what part of the eye causes it to look sunken. I thought, before reading into sunken eyes, that it had to do with the iris, but not sure anymore. If anyone can help me it be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Oh also is it the frontal portion of the lens where suspensory ligmanets radiate?

The eyes in the eye socket are surrounded by occuluar muscles, but also by a cushioning layer of fat. Presumably, after a long illness the body's fat reserves are depleted, including this fat, thus making the eye appear sunken.

 

However, this is just a hypothesis based on what I know of anatomy.

Darkening around the eye can give the apearance that the orbit is deeper.