Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Use of Rabbit Eyes in Pharmacokinetic Studies of Intraocular Drugs
Published on: July 23, 2016
Velocity necessary for a BB to penetrate the eye: an experimental study using pig eyes
Kramer D Powley1, Dean B Dahlstrom, Valerie J Atkins
1Forensic Laboratory, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Purpose:
To determine the V-50 threshold velocity needed for a steel BB to penetrate the eye of a 230-pound pig.
Method:
BBs were shot at a distance of 10 feet into the corneas of pig eyes with a pump-action BB gun.
Results:
The V-50 velocity for corneal penetration and serious disruption of the eye was found to be 246 ft/sec.
Conclusion:
Due to the nearly identical size and anatomy of the human eye to the pig eyes used in this study, it is felt that 246 ft/sec is a reasonable approximation of the velocity needed to penetrate the human eye.
