[The language of the eye. Expressive functions of the eye]

The eye is an effective and frequently used means of communication. Innate ocular signals express basic feelings and are identical all over the world. Acquired signals depend on cultural status, intelligence, and education. Eye diseases and orbital anomalies can provide misleading impressions, because they can be confused with true eye signals or because they can trigger innate reaction mechanisms. Surgically, the eye can often be improved as an emittor of signals; the message, however, has to be composed by the patient.