I’m seeing a lot of “eyes” these days in the works I’ve been editing. Understandable, since they’re both for vision and for expression. Problem is, we rely on the use of the word “eyes” far too much, and we also tend to rely on the sense of sight too much. Of course, there are times when we simply can’t avoid discussing eyes–they’re the first thing people notice about other people, they’re the windows to the soul and central to gleaning information into a person’s character, and they’re far more expressive than ears.
So we can’t cut reference to them out completely, but we can cut them down. Top two ways to do that is to (1) cut out the FBPs involving eyes and (2) find a good thesaurus. The third way–which requires the author to get more imaginative–is to figure out how to express something, usually an emotion, more creatively.
Floating body parts–eyes doing things without the benefit of the rest of the body. Usually, fixing this is as simple as using a synonym for “look.”
His eyes are on her retreating figure = He watches her retreating figure
All eyes turn to me = Everyone shifts their attention to me
He fixes his eyes on the problem = he focuses on the problem
His eyes scanned the horizon = He scanned the horizon
Then, you have the physical manifestations of emotions that can be altered:
My eyes water = I get teary
His eyes narrow = he glowers/glares/scowls
A headache kicked up behind his eyes = His temples throbbed
His eyes become cold = His expression hardens
Get it?
Granted, I have yet to find a great substitute for the eye-roll, because that one action speaks volumes. If you come up with something, let me know. Meanwhile, the best thing to do is to not use it often.
Don’t be afraid of the word “look.” There’s nothing wrong with it or any of its synonyms. Don’t be afraid to find alternative ways to illustrate emotion, either. Remember the line in the Eagles’ classic, “you can’t hide your lyin’ eyes”? When my brother was young, the best way to tell he was lying was to watch his ears turn red. Get creative in your depictions.
Some people lower their eyes when they’re thinking, avoiding eye-contact, or whatever it is you, the author, want to express by that action. So, instead of “lowered his eyes,” he can “study his shoes.” Instead of raising his eyes, he can meet your gaze. He can shift his focus from one thing to another. Instead of his eyes glazing over while he’s engaged in some thought, he can disappear into his thoughts.
He can scan, survey, scour, look, glance, stare, glare, glower, leer, regard, notice, squint, scrutinize, glimpse, peek, gape, gawk–pick it, but let him be the one to do it, not his eyes. Keep his eyes in his head.
A quick word about “gaze”: a gaze is “a long, fixed stare” not a short sweep of all things visible. We (and I definitely include myself in this group) tend to use this word incorrectly. It may be a good idea to watch our use of gaze. Keep an eye on it, so to speak. Try to use it more closely to its meaning.
Anyway, the moral to the story is that the “eyes” shouldn’t always have it. Find alternatives.
Several years into it, and this blog still refuses to be categorized. It's eclectic and includes everything from writing posts to snippets from my ordinary life. 
Linda W. Yezak 
Great article, Linda. Thanks so much. I, too, use “eyes” too much, and your ideas are keepers!
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Thanks, Kathleen.
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Great reminder. I do this too. A thought to help find all the extra eyes would be use the finf and replace function. Replace eye with EYE. Then see how many you can replace in your manuscript with more interesting words.
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I often suggest using the function so my clients can realize how often they use pet words and phrases. Good tip, Cindy.
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Great idea! Thanks, Cindy!
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Great tips Linda!
Thanks for sharing.
Good luck and God’s blessings
PamT
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Thanks, Pam.
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Oh yes, I catch myself doing this too. Great alternative suggestions. I will keep an eye out during my next round of edits….😉
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Yes–keep watch. 😀 😀 😀
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Linda:
Along with eyes, the word “blind” is used in many circumstances – when other words can be substituted – avoiding, willful As someone who has a blind friend, viewing life from his perspective – makes you realize many hurtful put-downs by the way we use our language.
On a science show, they discussed how when people feel others eyes on them when they enter a room (especially someone they know – they haven’t noticed) our peripheral vision does pick up more than we think and our brain does not yet register their presence.
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Thanks for your comment, Christine.
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I think I know what sparked this comment!
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I think you do too. 😉
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Excellent post! Thank you for giving me more options ’cause I am definitely an “eye” girl. Lol!
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You’re not alone!
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***She rolls her eyes in response.***
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Seriously? You can’t find a more imaginative way to be snarky? Honestly, Sis, sometimes you make me wonder. 😀
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Oh no. I can’t remember if I searched for eyes or not before I sent Wayfarer to you. :p *prepares to get dinged*
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I don’t remember that ever being a problem in your work. 🙂
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